Abstract: A pair of shoes for use by golfers includes a first shoe to be worn on a golfer's rear foot as the golfer addresses a golf ball which is provided with a sole and a heel and a plurality of spikes which extend downwardly from the sole and the heel. A second shoe is provided to be worn on a golfer's front foot as the golfer addresses a golf ball, and the second shoe is provided with a smooth, spikeless sole and a smooth, spikeless heel for enabling the golfer to make a proper turn to face the target during the golf swing.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials chemically bonded together is disclosed. In one embodiment, the relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials are arranged in such a fashion to impart flexibility to the article of footwear. In particular, plastic and rubber materials are bonded together to improve the flexibility of an outsole of an article of footwear. The invention also is directed to the fabrication of new or improved devices and elements for use in articles of footwear and their associated methods of construction such as closure mechanisms comprising relatively elastic straps bonded to relatively inelastic anchor portions and vice versa, articulating inelastic and elastic exoskeleton constructions useful in skates and ski boots, and elastic or inelastic eyelets surrounded by inelastic or elastic materials.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a shoe sole, a shoe upper having medial and lateral sides, and a closure element which overlaps the shoe upper and has a plurality of fastening projections. The closure element extends upwards along each side of the shoe upper as well as beneath the shoe sole. Each of the fastening projections includes an aperture or loop for receiving a shoe lace such that the projections on opposing sides of the shoe upper are connected together by the shoe lace and the shoe upper is thereby secured around the foot of the wearer. The closure element may be permanently attached to the article of footwear, or it may be removably disposed thereover. The tongue of the shoe upper may also include a positioning element for positioning the shoe lace between opposing sides of the fastening projections.

Abstract: An athletic shoe includes an outsole, a midsole, and an upper. Portions of the midsole extend upwardly along the sides of the upper. The upper and the upwardly extending portions of the outsole are provided with lace openings through which a shoe lace extends.

Abstract: A shoe with an integral ankle support preferably for, but not limited to, an athletic shoe, has a plurality of adjustable straps and brace members attached to a shoe upper. The brace members provide semi-rigid support and are attached medially and laterally to the upper inner surface with a rivet in each brace member, thereby allowing movement of the brace members in an anterior and posterior direction about an axis defined by the rivets. An improvement of the integral ankle support includes the use of a combination heel and ankle support incorporated into the construction of a shoe.

Abstract: An impact absorbing device for parachutists is disclosed. A conventional rshoe may be modified by riveting or otherwise fastening hook and loop material to the bottom of the overshoe. An impact absorbing sole having a top surface including hook and loop material may be quickly attached to and detached from the modified overshoe. It is also contemplated to provide fastening straps in lieu of or in addition to the hook and loop fastener. The fastening straps may encircle the forefoot area and/or the heel and ankle. The sole may have three layers of solid material or the middle layer may include apertures, which correspond to the heel and ball areas of the foot, for receiving cushioning inserts. The layers may be made of a high density open cell urethane foam, a microcellular ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) polyethylene foam, a viscoelastic plasticized polyurethane polymer, or a viscoelastic urethane rubber polymer. The layers may be laminated together using any conventional adhesive.

Abstract: An improved last, and article of footwear derived therefrom, for providing improved function, fit, and comfort for use in various athletic activities, and in particular for running. The last has dimensions defined by a plurality of cross-sectional contours extending from proximate a proximal end of the heel portion to proximate a distal end of the forefoot portion. The last dimensions are in accordance with or proportional to the plurality of cross-sectional contours shown in FIGS. 13-97. The last is characterized by a natural shape to the top of the cone or island and an enlarged toe box.

Abstract: A durable, lightweight shock absorbing shoe sole having an upper sole and a bottom sole attached to the bottom of the upper sole and including a plurality of inverted cups within the bottom sole and penetrating into the upper sole. At least one of the inverted cups being of a preselected configuration and located directly beneath and pointed convexly toward a natural contact point of the human foot for absorbing and dispersing shock generated at the natural contact point during a footstep. The cup is also angularly displaced with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sole a preselected number of degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis. In addition, a reinforcing system is incoporated within the shoe sole and works in cooperative relationship with the inverted cups for increasing the structural integrity of the shoe sole.

Abstract: Articles of footwear including a power supply, a logic circuit, at least two pressure switches which control the operation of the logic circuit, a counter circuit, a monitor circuit, a driver circuit and a display device. The counter circuit counts all such steps and determines use of the footwear vis-a-vis life of the footwear and/or characteristics of the use of the footwear. The display device selectively displays the number of steps taken in the footwear, or the speed at which the steps were taken.

Abstract: The footwear sole construction has a sole element disposed in the heel region of the sole. The sole element includes a first pod disposed on the medial side of the sole and a second pod disposed on the lateral side of the sole. The first pod is connected to the second pod by a web. A lower side of the sole element defines a concavity such that a lower surface of the first and second pods are disposed for contacting a ground surface. The first and second pods each include cavities extending therethrough such that a first open end of a cavity is disposed on one of the medial and lateral sides of the pod and a second open end of that cavity is disposed on the lower surface of such pod. The placement of the cavities and the orientation of the pods allow for tailoring and control of shock absorption.

Abstract: A footwear sole construction has a cavity. The footwear sole construction includes pods disposed on the medial and lateral sides of the heel region of the sole. The pods may be formed independent from the sole or integral with the sole. In addition, the pods may be disposed on the forefoot region of the sole, as well as, around the entire periphery. The placement of the cavities directly control the degree of shock absorption. The pods may be disposed such that at least one of the cavities may be disposed to have an open end on one of the medial and lateral sides of the sole and another open end on the lower surface of the sole. The cavities also may be formed directly in the sole material. In such case, a support piece can be disposed in the cavities or a reinforcement piece can be disposed on the bottom of the sole. The cavities also may be formed in a support element disposed in the sole.

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 ways including a deep groove, a line of relatively flexible midsole material, and a relatively flexible portion of a segmented fluid bladder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of composite material formed from a vulcanized elastomer, containing carboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid anhydride groups, in combination with a thermoplastic elastomer containing polyamide blocks, which comprises vulcanizing an elastomer composition comprising said vulcanizable elastomer, a crosslinking system and, optionally, diverse adjuvants in a mold, one part of which is occupied by said thermoplastic elastomer containing polyamide blocks, the vulcanization temperature being between -15.degree. C. and +5.degree. C. with respect to the Vicat point of said thermoplastic elastomer containing polyamide blocks, the elastomer composition and the vulcanization kinetics being such that the material shows cohesive failure when subjected to stress for separation of the two elastomers.This process leads to composite materials which have excellent properties, in particular in respect of tensile strength (cohesive failure).

Abstract: A stabilizing system providing motion control and cushioning. The stabilizing system is locating in the heel assembly and has at least one grid assembly extending laterally over at least a portion of the shoe construction from the medial to the lateral side in the heel region, and a cushioning wedge supporting the grid assembly. The cushioning wedge is thicker along the lateral portion than the medial portion and has greater compressibility than the other components in vertical alignment therewith whereby the medial portion is less compressible than the lateral portion thereby mitigating the likelihood of overpronation.

Abstract: A unique shoe is provided to improve a walker's power, posture and speed, such shoe combining the advantages of a forwardly-inclined heel with the advantages of an arcuately tapered toe. The shoe includes an upper which carries the wearer's foot, and a sole which supports the foot from below. The sole is formed with two portions, a generally wedge-shaped rear portion which extends from an area beneath the wearer's heel to an area beneath the ball of the wearer's foot, and an arcuate forward portion which extends forwardly from the area beneath the ball of the wearer's foot to the forward terminus of the shoe. The rear portion increases linearly in thickness in the forward direction, the sole's overall thickness being correspondingly increased. The forward portion is of forwardly decreasing thickness, the sole tapering arcuately to forward termination of the shoe.

Abstract: An article of footwear (10) having an initial contact portion (30) and a medial/forefoot portion (34). The initial contact portion (30) exterior sole surface is formed at a dihedral angle (38) to the sole surface of the medial/forefoot portion (34) such that the heel portion has a minimal thickness of material interposed between the foot (32) and the ground surface (40) at a postero-lateral edge of the sole structure, which means that foot flight continues until the foot moves closer to the ground (40) to delay impact and increase stride length. A high friction interface (72,172) is provided in a medial/forefoot portion of a shoe insole and low friction interface (74,174) is provided at the initial contact portion (30) of the shoe insole. The low friction area (72) reduces shearing on foot impact, and the high friction forefoot interface (72,172) eliminates sliding of the forefoot during foot push-off, to decrease wasted energy. Energy efficient and stride length increase are achieved.

Abstract: A laceless athletic shoe is disclosed. The shoe presents a thin, uniform upper surface, permitting truer kicks when contacted by a soccer or other ball. An integral elastic area in the upper expands to receive the wearer's foot, while carbon fibers embedded in and grooves formed across the outsole provide greater torsional stability and flexibility of the shoe during turns.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe cover that can be attached to a selected athletic shoe to provide an improved appearance of the upper portion of the shoe. The lower edge of the shoe cover attaches to the bottom of the shoe upper or to the side of the sole portion, so the bottom surface of the sole is not restricted. The top of the cover is retained tightly against the top of the shoe upper to give the cover a snug fit against the selected shoe. The shoe cover also carries one or more ankle supporting straps that are positioned near the wear's ankle when the shoe cover is installed on the shoe. The straps can be wrapped around the user's ankle where they are held closed with fasteners. Thus, the ankle support straps do not require that a separate sock element be worn under the shoe or that the straps be permanently attached to the shoe.

Abstract: A construction for a shoe, particularly an athletic shoe such as a running shoe, includes a sole that conforms to the natural shape of the foot, particularly the sides, and that has a constant thickness in frontal plane cross sections. The thickness of the shoe sole side contour equals and therefore varies exactly as the thickness of the load-bearing sole portion varies due to heel lift, for example. Thus, the outer contour of the edge portion of the sole has at least a portion which lies along a theoretically ideal stability plane for providing natural stability and efficient motion of the shoe and foot particularly in an inverted and everted mode.

Abstract: A sand soccer boot with a soft foam elastomer layer having an inner layer, an outer layer, a lower portion, an upper portion, and an ankle portion. The ankle portion and the upper portion integrally form an open recess for insertion of a foot. The open recess has an elastic foam forming ankle support thereattached. The ankle support serves to conform to a user's ankle to prevent sand from entering. A leather outer layer has an inner surface, an outer surface, a lower portion, an upper portion, and an ankle portion. The inner surface is secured to the outer layer of the soft foam elastomer layer. An elastomer sole has an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface is secured to the outer surface of the lower portion of the leather outer layer.

Abstract: This cheerleader shoe (10) includes an upper (12) and a sole (14) the sole having a front portion (16), a heel porition (18) and an intermediate instep area (20). The instep area (20) includes an outside portion (22) and inside portion (24) and a connecting bottom portion (26). The outside portion (22) of the instep area (20) and the shoe heel (18) finger-receiving grooves (20,32), facilitating the holding of the shoe by a helper during the performance of cheerleader routines. The instep bottom portion (26) and inside portion (24) are molded to form a concave face (34) having ribs (36) to facilitate the seating of the instep area (20) by the shoulder of the cheerleader helper.

Abstract: An athletic shoe having a shoe body including a shoe upper, a heel portion, a toe portion, and a sole member mounted to the shoe body extending from the heel to the toe of the shoe body. The bottom of the sole member is covered with ground contacting sole to provide proper traction, and includes a first angle portion below the heel of the shoe body, a second angle portion below the toe of the shoe body, and a platform section therebetween.

Abstract: New application of biomechanical principles of elastic stretch and braking force are combined in an athletic shoe. The new design implements the concepts by placing the heel significantly lower than the ball of the foot and toes. Tests show that an inner sole reverse slope of about 31/2.degree. provides an optimum significant improvement in jumping in particular. The reverse slope is substantially flat from the center of pressure beneath the heel to the five centers of pressure beneath the ball of the foot. The flat slope provides more assurance that the weight of the user will be applied to the shoe through the centers of pressure in preference to locations under the arch. The invention is applicable to "explosive" movement sports such as basketball, track and field, volleyball, tennis and soccer. Preferably the shoes are constructed with formed or curved heels to retain the feet properly positioned in the shoes by preventing the feet from sliding too far back within the shoes.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing pumping devices, particularly usable in sports shoes, including the monolithic molding of a body having at least one tubular passage and a first and a second seat for air venting and intake valves. The body furthermore includes at least one chamber with a partially open elastically deformable wall. The method entails the closure of the chamber, whereas the valves and at least one inflatable plenum chamber are associable within the body thus obtained, before closing it. The pumping device thus obtained has optimum functional characteristics as well as very low manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A jumping assist system to be mounted in conjunction with each lower leg and foot of a human which will cause the imparting of additional energy during the jumping movement which will result in the individual being able to jump higher, especially in a succession of jumps, as well as having greater endurance in jumping. When the lower leg moves forwardly into the jump-ready position, a pulling force is applied from the lower leg to a tension brace which extends substantially parallel to the back of the leg to under the heel of the foot causing a forward rotational force at the ankle joint. This force will assist the individual in the jumping action. There is also a separate strap connection over the dorsum of the foot which extends along the bottom of the foot and under the heel, anchoring in the achilles area. This dorsum strap further assists in achieving an increased level of upward support and some rotational force that assists the individual in the jumping motion.

Abstract: To provide a pair of shoes responsive to the relative forces applied to a wearer's feet, at least one force sensor is provided in each of a left and right shoe. The sensor detects pressures which are then converted from a form provided by the sensor into a digital form which may be processed on by a microprocessor. The processor then executes any one of a number of force analysis programs and outputs, in a preferred form, a force model comprising attack, decay, sustain and release information. Each shoe then transmits coded information representing the sensed force profile to a central receiving device which may be located in a watch-like receiver worn on the wearer's wrist. The receiving device has the ability to pick up and discern signals transmitted by each left and right shoe and also from a number of auxiliary transmitters. Control of the display is made through the use of selector switches which also appear on the user interface.

Abstract: An integral sole for a shoe includes a base plate, a stabilizing plate, and a heel member. The base plate is made of a cushioning material and includes a lower surface having a footprint embossing which engages a walking surface providing traction and comfort for the user. The stabilizing plate is horizontally located about and surrounding the footprint embossing and is made of a material which is harder than the material of the base plate. The stabilizing plate also engages the walking surface and includes a bridge portion extending outwardly from a toe and ball portion of the footprint embossing to provide lateral stability for the sole. The heel member is located peripherally about a heel portion of the stabilizing plate. The heel member is made of a material which is harder than the material of the stabilizing plate to provide a firm heel stability for the shoe. Preferably, the toe portion of the footprint embossing includes five separate toe-print areas.

Abstract: This split vamp athletic shoe (10) includes separated upper and lower vamp sections (18, 22) which are independently adjustable and provide the shoe with a hinge zone providing the shoe with flexibility. The shoe also includes an outsole (14) and a midsole (16), the outsole being unitarily formed to include upwardly extending instep support portions (36) which are attached to the upper vamp and extend substantially to the leading edge of the upper vamp to stiffen the shoe particularly in the instep area and provide stabilizing restraint against lateral motion and enhance the hinge action. The outsole also includes a second set of upwardly extending side support portions (38) which are spaced from said instep side support portions. In a second embodiment the midsole (116) includes unitarily formed side portions (166) recessed to receive the outsole side portions (136) and cooperating with said side portions to provide additional lateral stabilization and further enhancing the hinge action.

Abstract: An integrally molded midsole for an athletic shoe having tubular suspension members is disclosed. The tubular suspension members behave as springs and have spring constants which may be designed for a particular application by choice of the tube length, the tube wall thickness or the hardness of the tube material. Preferably, the midsole is made of an elastomer such as HYTREL that is cast in a preformed shape and thereafter subjected to substantial compressive forces so that the tubular springs take a compression set and thereafter perform as near-ideal springs.

Abstract: A cleated athletic shoe having a crisscross arch reinforcement extending between selected cleats on the sole of the shoe. An athletic shoe having a lacing arrangement in which the series of eyelets on the instep portion of the shoe are asymmetrical with the series of eyelets on the outstep portion of the shoe.

Abstract: A lightweight athletic shoe with an ankle support system and a foot comfort and support system is provided. The ankle support system, which includes an integral brace with removable ankle support elements, may be modified by the wearer to vary the amount of support provided as needed. The foot comfort and support system includes a composite insole with a spongy, moisture absorbing layer and an air layer with an air-filled arch support and an air-filled upper foot comfort cushion located around the shoelace-holding eyelets. Air-filled pockets in the shoe upper provide design elements and contribute to the reduction in the weight of the shoe.

Abstract: A tightening member for a shoe having two straps disposed on the inner and the outer sides of the shoe and an adjuster disposed on the heel reinforcement portion. One end of the strap has lace holes. The strap is divided into two branches at the other end; one of the branches passes through a hole in the adjuster, and is connected to one end of a lateral strip member of a skeleton-shaped reinforcement portion. The other branch is attached to a stretchable member located on the heel reinforcement portion.

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 customized fit shoe, and particularly a high-top ice hockey skate, having a plurality of interior inflatable chambers. The chambers are configured and inflatable to different amounts to conform to the contours of the arch and the area below the malleoli of the foot in the shoe. The inflation of the chambers is accurately and easily adjusted through an upper push-to-deflate valve. When thereby adjusted, the concavities of the arch and ankle are filled without restricting the plantar or dorsi flexion of the foot.

Abstract: A sport shoe is disclosed which provides a highly flexible, yet supportive shoe which enhances both wearer comfort and shoe performance, and virtually eliminates shoe break-in time. The shoe includes a two piece sole system, each sole having a plurality of flex areas which provide optimum flexibility in the metatarsal and phalanges regions of the wearer's foot during walking or running activities. The shoe further includes a three-point support system about (i) an adjustable heel counter, (ii) the arch region of the wearer's foot, and (iii) the lace region of the shoe, providing balanced support about the wearer's foot.

Abstract: A shoe construction having an energy return system together with features providing cushioning and stability. The energy return system includes a rigid frame having annular walls in the forefoot and heel areas of the midsole. An outersole defines an opening that is co-extensive with the open area in the midsole. A transparent plastic window is positioned in this opening for viewing the net from below.

Abstract: An ankle-supporting shoe comprising a sole member having a mid-sole attached to the top surface thereof. Attached to the upper surface of the mid-sole and a toe portion of the top surface of the sole member is a brace member including a base portion formed to suit the shape of the wearer's foot and lateral and medial struts extending upwardly from the base portion. A boot upper is attached to the sole member in a manner wherein the lateral strut extends upwardly within a lateral side panel portion of the boot upper, with the medial strut extending upwardly within a medial side panel portion of the boot upper. An inflatable bladder member is selectively insertable into vamp and ankle portions of the boot upper which is sized and configured to extend about the midfoot ankle and heel of the wearer's foot when the foot is inserted into the boot upper.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of manufacturing a midsole for a shoe and the structure of the resulting midsole. The midsole includes a core of a first plastic material and a peripheral wrap of a second plastic material. The wrap has an outer peripheral surface comprising at least a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the midsole. The method includes the steps of molding a peripheral wrap from a sheet stock of the first plastic material by applying compressive forces on the sheet stock in a direction which is substantially perpendicular with the outer surface of the sheet stock, placing the wrap around the inner peripheral surface of a mold which approximates the shape of the midsole, and pouring the first plastic material in the mold.

Abstract: A roller shoe includes a shoe upper having a first sole mounting a second sole, with the second sole including a plurality of spaced parallel roller cylinders mounted to the second sole projecting therefrom to provide for a rolling surface relative to an underlying surface, with forward and rear ends of the second sole having brake resilient lugs projecting therefrom.

Abstract: A pair of golf shoes for aiding a golfer in establishing an optimal stance and improving the golfer's aim during driving and iron shots is disclosed. The golf shoes comprise an upper portion and a sole portion. The upper portion includes visual alignment guide lines thereon for aiding a golfer in establishing relative positioning of the golfer's feet with respect to each other, the golf ball and the target.

Abstract: An ankle supporting shoe comprising a sole member. Attached to the top surface of the sole member is a midsole including a planar portion having a continuous flange formed partially about and extending upwardly from the planar portion. Attached to the upper surface of the midsole and a toe portion of the top surface of the sole member is a structural member including a base portion formed to suit the shape of the wearer's foot and lateral and medial struts extending upwardly from the base portion. A boot is attached to the sole member in a manner wherein the lateral strut extends between the outer surface of a lateral side portion of the boot and the inner surface of the flange, with the medial strut extending between the outer surface of a medial side portion of the boot and the inner surface of the flange.

Abstract: This invention permits a wearer of this footwear to measure the number and the force of steps that have been taken by the user during a predetermined interval. The wearer can subsequently transfer the step information into a computer for further analysis. In a particular embodiment, the information transfer is accomplished using an inductively coupled data link between the footwear and the computer.

Abstract: A sports shoe having a vamp and a lower support part which includes a sole, and a wedge arranged on said sole, a mounting insole an additional insole, which is in contact with the user's foot. The shoe includes, associated with the lower support part, an insert including elements which are elastically deformable under pressure and which are enclosed in an airtight casing advantageously of a plastic material, the insert being arranged in a seat provided in the wedge and in the mounting insole in a position corresponding with the heel of the foot. A further insert may be provided at a different location in the shoe.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an intermediate layer for a shoe sole consisting of a hollow shell having convolutions disposed along the periphery thereof. The convolutions are adapted to cushion the foot by compressing when force is applied thereto, and expanding to their original configuration when the force is relieved. An inner filler material may be provided within the shell for added cushioning and resilience.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a shoe sole containing a cushioning fluid filled bladder and a clip holding the bladder in a set position in the shoe sole and providing enhanced lateral and medial stability to the sole.

Abstract: An athletic shoe includes a substantially flat pump chamber in the sole of the shoe under the heel of the user, with a one-way valve permitting the drawing in of air when pressure is taken of the heel, and second one-way valve at the outlet from the flat pump which comes into play as air is being exhausted from the chamber. One or more pressure bladders for receiving air from the pump mentioned above, are mounted in the sidewalls of the shoe, toward the rear thereof adjacent the ankle. When the user is active, and is walking or running, the pump is automatically actuated to inflate the air bladders and to provide additional support for the foot and the ankle. The air bladders may be provided with a relief valve to prevent overpressure, and/or with arrangements for slowly leaking air out of the bladder so that when the user is resting, pressure on the foot and ankle is minimized. This last function may be accomplished, either by a bleed valve, or by a series of fine perforations in the walls of the bladder.

Abstract: The present invention is an inflatable article of manufacture having inflation and fluid release mechanisms. The inflation mechanism generally comprises a pump and a resilient fluid intake valve. The fluid release mechanism includes a housing, a fluid release means and a protective cover which is received about the housing. The protective cover of the fluid release mechanism may also function as a connector for an "off board" inflation mechanism.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a novel shoe tongue construction wherein the tongue is made as an integral extension of preferably the heel portion of the shoe. The tongue may also be an integral extension of the quarter. The tongue construction provides greater comfort to the wearer of the shoe than do conventionally mounted tongue constructions because the tongue is integrally formed with either the counter or the quarter of the shoe rather than being stitched only to the vamp. This construction is also more economical to make because cutting and stitching requirements are reduced.

Abstract: A levered footwear to provide a manipulating force to an aquatic board is described. The footwear has a rigid structure extending to the rear of the heel of the wearer, which is attached to a flexible member covering a portion of the wearer's foot. An adjustable strapping holds the flexible member in place on the wearer's foot.