Abstract: A shoe having an upper the interior of which is provided with closure material. Cooperating closure material is in place on the exterior of a foot covering and adheres to the shoe upper mounted material to join the foot covering and shoe upper in a positive, non-slip manner. Adhesive material on the interior of the foot covering adheres to the skin of the foot and ankle. Extreme lateral displacement of the foot in an inward or outward direction is restrained by the shoe upper being put in tension. Upright stays prevent sagging of the shoe upper.

Abstract: Footwear including an upper and a sole with a plurality of cleats extending from the sole arranged in groupings of cleats adapting the footwear to field sports. A control device extends upwardly of the sole around the heel, a pair of spines extend along the sole between cleats of a grouping of cleats within the region of the ball and heel of the foot, and a flex area is provided in the sole in the general off-center alignment of the heads of the metatarsal bones.

Abstract: An athletic shoe includes a sole portion (12) for disposal adjacent the sole of the foot, an upper (14) secured to sole portion (12) about the periphery thereof and cooperating with sole portion (12) to enclose the foot of the wearer and an inner support covering (16) for disposal about the ankle of the foot to provide support therefor. Upper (14) is adapted to overlay the dorsum of the foot and extends upwardly therefrom above the ankle of the foot to provide additional support therefor. Lacing means (36) are provided to adjustably secure upper (14) about the foot of the wearer and a strap (40) is provided to secure the ankle portion of upper (14) about the ankle of the wearer. Inner support covering (16) is attached to sole portion (12) adjacent the inside surface of upper (14) and extends from the lateral side of sole portion (12) to the medial side of sole portion (12) rearwardly around the ankle of the wearer to provide support therefor.

Abstract: A track shoe with an improved sole is disclosed. The sole includes a plate formed of a first material which extends along substantially the entire length of the shoe. A plurality of traction cleats are permanently attached to the plate and are formed of a second material having a hardness less than the first material. A plurality of spike fasteners are attached to the forepart portion of the plate and a pair of lateral traction extensions are formed integral with the plate and extend upwardly therefrom adjacent to and upwardly of the fifth metatarsal-phalanges joint. The lateral traction extensions are separated by a gap. First, second and third flex grooves are formed in the plate to enhance the flexibility of the plate along the grooves. The first and second flex grooves extend generally parallel to a line between the first and second metatarsal-phalanges joints. The third flex groove extends substantially parallel with a line extending along the second through fifth metatarsal-phalanges joints.

Abstract: The invention provides a sports shoe comprising a sole, and an upper having flaps with opposed edges adapted to be drawn together over the instep of the wearer with a shoelace, said opposed edges substantially meeting in a region extending from the leg opening of the shoe towards the toe to a point where they part to define an aperture extending across the shoe to impart increased flexibility to the toe region.

Abstract: An athletic shoe for runners, joggers, and the like includes a backtab at the upper heel/counter portion of the shoe which extends somewhat along both the lateral and medial sides of the shoe. The backtab is characterized as a cushioning member and it includes a cut-out or notch to accommodate the Achilles tendon of the foot to reduce or substantially eliminate stress and pressure on the Achilles tendon which may result in aggravation or injury to the tendon.

Abstract: An athletic shoe having a sole bottom which is contoured in the region of first foot strike along the lateral border to provide an arcuate landing surface which curves upwardly toward the lateral side edge of the sole and away from the ground surface and which is radiused about an axis coinciding with an effective, average subtalar axis. The sole may additionally be contoured along the rear heel portion in the region of first foot strike for straight heel strikers to provide another arcuate landing surface which curves upwardly toward the rear edge of the sole and which is radiused about a transverse axis coinciding with an average ankle axis. The sole bottom is formed with separate sets of gripping ribs which are oriented in such a manner that traction is enhanced for a range of toe out angles in the toe off range, is maximized for an average toe out angle along the lateral border and is maximized for a zero toe out angle in the rear heel region.

Abstract: A sole unit for footwear such as an athletic shoe includes an integral midsole/wedge or a wedge for use with a midsole. The integral midsole/wedge unit and the wedge for use with a midsole both are formed by a shell and an encapsulated core. The shell and core comprise plastic materials which have individual strengths and weaknesses in a shoe construction, yet provide, as a composite improved results in a shock dispersion and memory system. In a second aspect, the integral midsole/wedge is a single density or a two-density unit precompressed from a low density material.

Abstract: An outer sole especially designed for basketball shoes which is lightweight, stable, and provides a greater degree of shock absorption than heretofore possible. The sole includes a plurality of kinetic levers or tread members which extend downwardly and outwardly from the peripheral portion of the bottom of the sole and, together with a relatively stiff, centrally formed pedestal on the inside surface of the sole, define a cantilevered construction that dissipates shock by inducing spreading of the levers laterally outwardly upon foot-induced ground impact. The space between the inner, central pedestal and the side wall of the sole defines a cavity positioned above the respective tread members for facilitating compression and spreading thereof to enhance to shock-dissipating qualities of the sole. The sole also includes a side wall which, together with the upper walls of the tread members, defines a groove. The groove also facilitates compression and spreading of the tread members.

Abstract: In a pocket for footwear and designed to be the type to wraparound the upper front segment of the shoe, the wraparound pocket comprising a pair of liners, one being an inner liner, the other being an outer liner, approximately one end of the formed pocket securing with a proximate upper quarter portion of the shoe, while the other end of the wraparound pocket releasably secures with the upper segment of the other quarter portion of the shoe, one of the liners having a slot provided therein, and a closure in the category of a zipper providing for closing of the pocket slot during footwear usage.

Abstract: An athletic shoe sole constructed to provide good cushioning and durability and to preclude overpronation of the foot. An outersole body progressively increases in thickness toward the inside edge of the sole from a longitudinal midline axis of thereof in a region extending from a heel portion to an arch portion of the outersole body, and is provided with a plurality of projection harder than the outersole body secured to its lower surface on an inner side of a heel portion of the outersole body and a plurality of projections softer than the outersole body secured to its lower surface on the remaining region of the outersole body. A cushioning midsole has a shape in section complementary to the thickness of the outersole body is overlaid on it.

Abstract: A shoe with an ankle protector comprising a support panel along the lateral aspect or outwardly facing side of a shoe securely fastened to the shoe along the bottom edge of the support panel which extends from about mid-heel forwardly to the point on the shoe which is adjacent the distal joint of the wearer's fifth metatarsal, and an inelastic or non-stretchable strap extending from the rear edge of the support panel around the back of the shoe at an upwardly inclined angle, then forwardly across the upper part of the shoe along the medial aspect or inwardly facing side adjacent the medial malleolus of the tibia portion of the wearer's ankle, then around the front portion of the shoe and downwardly for connection of the strap to a forward portion of said support panel.

Abstract: An athletic shoe for track and field use, especially a running shoe, is formed in such a way that a flexible running sole is provided only in the area of its running surface and, thus, largely does not exist in the area of the longitudinal arch of the foot, and from the arch area to the heel, the running sole is rendered resistant to distortion by a reinforcement plate. Additionally, in the area of the longitudinal arch of the foot, the running sole has a supporting wall directed diagonally upward toward the inside of the foot that is fitted to the arch of the foot. Thus, a shoe for track and field use is obtained that is extremely light in weight, has high resistance to distortion and supports the foot well.

Abstract: An outer sole especially designed for basketball shoes which is lightweight, stable, and provides a greater degree of shock absorption than heretofore possible. The sole includes a plurality of kinetic levers or tread members which extend downwardly and outwardly from the peripheral portion of the bottom of the sole and, together with a relatively stiff, centrally formed pedestal on the inside surface of the sole, define a cantilevered construction that dissipates shock by inducing spreading of the levers laterally outwardly upon foot-induced ground impact. The space between the inner, central pedestal and the side wall of the sole defines a cavity positioned above the respective tread members for facilitating compression and spreading thereof to enhance the shock-dissipating qualities of the sole. The sole also includes a side wall which, together with the upper walls of the tread members, defines a groove. The groove also facilitates compression and spreading of the tread members.

Abstract: An athletic type tennis or court shoe wherein spaced apart forefoot and rearfoot sole units are connected together only through a flexible soleless coupling to allow the wearer's forefoot and rearfoot to act independently of each other, wherein each sole unit has a resilient, shock-absorbing midsole, and wherein the sole units are sufficiently thin to place the wearer's foot close to the ground while maintaining sufficient cushioning for the wearer's foot.

Abstract: A game shoe having a novel outsole which includes, a skirt adhesion member located on the bottom surface of the forepart of the outsole, first projections and second projections provided on the bottom surface of the rearpart of the outsole and the bottom surface surrounded by the skirt adhesion member. The first projections are cylindrical, different in size and are formed in such a manner that the greater the height is, the smaller the diameter will be. The second projections are provided with skirt adhesion bottom ends respectively to contact the floor surface.

Abstract: A lightweight, flexible gymnastic shoe is disclosed. The shoe includes an upper formed of a lightweight synthetic fabric. A relatively broad closure strap has a first end fixed to a medial inside surface of the upper in the area of the arch and a second free end for detachable attachment to the medial outside of the upper. A hook and pile fastener selectively fastens the second end of the closure strap to the upper. A sole is attached to an outer bottom surface of the upper, and is formed of a relatively thin resilient material located only below the toe, ball and heel areas. A liner is located inside the upper and extends along substantially the entire length of the inside top surface of the upper. The liner is formed of a relatively low density cushioning material. A metatarsal pad is located along the liner only in the area of the first and second metatarsal heads of a wearer's foot, and a heel pad is located along the liner in the heel area.

Abstract: An athletic shoe, particularly for running and jumping, including an upper sole, a separate lower sole beneath the upper sole and a leaf spring of approximately the width of the shoe connecting the upper and lower soles. One end of the leaf spring is fastened to one end of the upper sole, such as the front end, while the other end of the leaf spring is fastened to the opposite end of the lower sole. The opposite surfaces of the upper and lower soles facing the spring may be arcuately curved. The spring may be arcuately curved. The upper sole may be fastened to the shoe over the entire length of the upper sole or only at the front of the shoe, e.g. at a joint. Additional springs may be disposed between the upper and lower soles.

Abstract: A non-slipping attachment for a boot, shoe, sneaker and the like is provided and consists of a toe portion, a heel portion and a resilient center bridge for stretchably connecting the toe and heel portions. Both the toe and heel portions have a plurality of downwardly disposed ground gripping spikes. Another design has adjustable spikes for raising the footwear to different heights.

Abstract: A foot ligament protective device comprising a foot plate (1), extending from the heel portion of the foot at least over the arch, an ankle sleeve (3) provided with fastening means (12, 13) and designed to be fixed around the ankle portion of the foot, and flexible but lengthwise substantially not extensible connecting members (2), which are arranged to connect the ankle sleeve (3) on both sides of the foot to the foot plate (1) in at least a fore and rear portion of the latter, such that sideways overstretching movements are prevented.

Abstract: An athletic shoe, particularly a soccer shoe, with extreme flexibility in the ball area and, preferably, in the mid-foot joint area as well, is achieved by the provision or ribs in these areas on the contact side of the sole as well as on the insole side. The ribs form a continuous undulating band consisting of wave crests and valleys, and may be formed as a unitary part of the sole or may be a separate component made integral with the sole during manufacture thereof, such as by the sole material being injected or case around them.

Abstract: A running shoe sole having a relatively thin outer sole layer of hard, wear-resistant material, a midsole layer resilient cushioning material and a heel sole layer, provided between the outer sole and midsole layers along approximately the rear half of the sole. In accordance with preferred embodiments, an outer, longitudinally extending portion of the heel sole layer spans approximately 2/3 of the width of the heel sole layer and is formed of a resilient cushioning material, while an inner portion spanning approximately the remaining 1/3 of the width of the sole layer is formed of a material that is of a hardness of approximately 10-20 shore durometer greater than that of the outer portion of the heel sole layer. This construction of the heel sole layer enables cushioning of the foot during lateral heel strikes occurring during running to be provided by the outer portion of the heel while the inner portion is able to act in a manner which limits pronation occurring thereafter.

Abstract: A foot appliance for use in the martial arts. The appliance consists of a generally cup-shaped member which is adapted to be placed over the toes of the foot in a manner so as to substantially cover the toes and provide support therefor. The cup-shaped member is retained in place by means of a strap element which extends behind the heel of the foot. Optionally, there is provided an additional strap element which extends from the arch of the foot to the instep thereof. The appliance is adapted to provide protection for the toes when a participant is engaged in the martial arts.

Abstract: A shoe with an adjustable strap fastening mechanism having a pull strap which is secured at one end to the insole of the shoe and disposed in wrap-around fashion about a wearer's foot from one side over the instep and the dorsum of the foot to the opposite side, and then beneath the wearer's foot through the structure of the shoe to a hook and pile fastening assembly. The pull strap may be pulled, and thereby cinched about the wearer's foot, to a desired comfortable tautness which is adjustable, which secures the shoe to the wearer's foot and which provides adjustable arch support.

Abstract: A hinged sport boot having an upper boot portion with hinge openings in its sides and a lower boot portion with integral, headed, hinge pins projecting from its sides. The heads of hinge pins are slightly larger in size than the openings so that the pins must be forced through the openings to hingedly connect the upper and lower portions together. A locating depression is provided on the central outer surface of the head of each pin to properly locate a connecting tool used to connect the boot portions together. The invention is also directed toward a method for connecting the boot portions together.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for attachment to shoes to create tap dancing shoes, including heel and toe attachments. Each of the attachments has two pieces, one of which is fixedly attached to the shoe along respective outer edges, having a center cutout with a bridging member proximate one end. The second piece loosely fits within the center cutout of the first piece, and has a pair of projecting ears which loosely nest within cross axis grooves in the first piece, the second piece also having a forward lip and surface for contacting against the bridging member of the first piece for creating a tapping sound.

Abstract: A heel-counter stabilizer is provided for attachment to an athletic shoe having a heel member of resilient material. The stabilizer is adhesively bonded to the exterior of the shoe in a manner which provides both vertical and longitudinal support and bracing between the shoe counter and heel member. The stabilizer is particularly effective to counteract counter "run-over" and heel wear caused by either pronation or supination. It also helps to prevent compression and blowout of the midsole and heel wedge.

Abstract: A sole for use in sports shoes, particularly tennis shoes. The sole comprises an insole, a midsole of a comparatively soft, compressible and resilient material, and an outsole. The latter is formed with a central portion of a compressible and resilient material possessing a high coefficient of friction, preferably rubber, while the rest of said outsole consists of a compressible and resilient material that is harder than the material of the midsole.

Abstract: Adjustable-length, golf spike receptacles and anchoring strip combinations for use in soles of various sizes and widths comprise (1) an elongated strip of thin, flexible material and (2) a pair of golf spike receptacles which are attached, one at each end to the elongated strip. The golf spike receptacles comprise (a) an internally threaded sleeve or cylinder for receiving the threads of a golf spike and (b) a base plate to which the sleeve is attached at about a right angle to its axis. The base plates of the golf spike receptacles are attached to the ends of the elongated strips by attaching means in a manner such that at least one plate and preferably both plates are rotatable about the attaching means. In a further embodiment one or both the attaching means are slidably movable in elongated channels provided adjacent to the ends of the anchoring strip.

Abstract: An outer sole especially designed for basketball shoes which is lightweight, stable, and provides a greater degree of shock absorption than heretofore possible. The sole includes a plurality of kinetic levers or tread members which extend downwardly and outwardly from the peripheral portion of the bottom of the sole and, together with a relatively stiff, centrally formed pedestal on the inside surface of the sole, define a cantilevered construction that dissipates shock by inducing spreading of the levers laterally outwardly upon foot-induced ground impact. The space between the inner, central pedestal and the side wall of the sole defines a cavity positioned above the respective tread members for facilitating compression and spreading thereof to enhance the shock-dissipating qualities of the sole. The sole also includes a side wall which, together with the upper walls of the tread members, defines a groove. The groove also facilitates compression and spreading of the tread members.

Abstract: A releasably attachable insulative covering for a skate shoe and comprising a covering panel adapted to envelop the skate shoe and fabricate it from thermally insulative material. The panel includes a toe covering portion, a heel covering portion, and an in-step covering portion therebetween, with flexible fastening means for releasably attaching the covering panel to the skate shoe. The flexible fastening means includes a plurality of mating interconnecting pairs of hooks and loops, and are mounted on the covering panel with one such mating pair being secured generally vertically along the rear portion of the panel to form a heel closure, and with another such mating pair being secured as cross-strap tab fasteners for coupling generally transversely across the undersurface of the arch portion of the skate shoe.

Abstract: An athletic shoe upper construction comprises a vamp with an elongated throat opening and a one-piece reinforcement of non-stretchable material. The one-piece reinforcement has a lacing hole reinforcing portion which is secured to the vamp of the upper adjacent to and surrounding the throat opening, and medial and lateral reinforcing portions in the form of an elongated strip extending from the lacing hole reinforcing portion to the featherline of the vamp in the mid-tarsal region of the respective sides of the vamp. Additionally, the width and location of the respective medial and lateral reinforcing portions is sufficient to at least span respective holes of two pairs of lacing holes provided in the lacing hole reinforcing portion.

Abstract: Two wide equal length elastic flexible straps are cut on an angle at corresponding ends which are attached to opposite sides of an athletic shoe near the heel region where the shoe sole joins the upper. Each strap on its outer side relative to the shoe has a loop pile fastener component adjacent to the malleolus and on its opposite side adjacent to its free end has a cooperative hook fastener component. The straps in succession are drawn around the rear of the angle and lower leg under elastic tension and across the upper instep and the cooperative fastener components of each strap are pressed together into holding engagement. The two straps cross each other at the rear and front of the ankle and lower leg. A brace is formed which affords the greatest reduction in inversion and eversion of the ankle immediately adjacent to the collateral ligaments of the ankle.

Abstract: Athletic shoes, particularly tennis shoes, are known which are provided with an ankle support in the zone of the arch of the foot (plantar arch) between the ball and the heel. In many such athletic shoes with ankle joint supports, the tread sole is fashioned with a corresponding constriction in the ankle region so that the inner ankle support is not shored up in the direction of the tread surface. To prevent such athletic shoes from buckling or bending flexurally in the ankle zone under high stresses, or even "break through", several discrete supporting profiles of varying heights are provided at the tread sole, the enveloping line of which on the free ends of these supporting profiles on the tread side lies at least approximately in the plane of the adjoining tread sole parts.

Abstract: An athletic shoe is disclosed which is primarily adapted for use in rapid start-stop sports, such as tennis, racquetball, handball and the like. The athletic shoe includes a sole, an upper secured to the sole and a toe cap which is secured to the sole and the upper. The toe cap defines a plurality of narrow slits which extend generally longitudinally of the sole. The narrow slits increase the flexibility of the toe cap and provide room for the toes of the user during rapid stops primarily to prevent bruising of the big toe.

Abstract: A protective shoe for use during the practice of the art of karate and other sports. The shoe has a foot surrounding member shaped to surround a portion of the wearer's foot. The foot surrounding member is adapted to hold a shoe member shaped to surround the upper part of the foot. The shoe member is fabricated from a shock absorbing material.

Abstract: A sports shoe having a thick sole and an enclosed upper in which the toe cap is divided by means of articulating hinge joints into several narrow strips each of which enclose an acute angle with respect to longitudinal axis of the shoe. The articulating hinges are approximately parallel to each other and run from the inside edge of the shoe and towards the heel. The sole is provided with grooves running in parallel to and beneath the moving joints.

Abstract: Covering element or tongue for rock-climbing, mountain skying and similar ort boots comprising a single, shaped laminar element divided into first and second parts, an end of one part being relatively slidable or longitudinally moveable with respect to an opposite end of the other part to impart an improved flexibility to the covering element or tongue. In a preferred embodiment, the end of one part is connected to an opposite end of the other part by hinge structure formed by a partly notched intermediate zone of the covering element and so that one end region of one part is superimposed over an end region of the other part.

Abstract: A boat shoe and sole therefor wherein there are first and second ribs protruding perpendicularly from the bottom comprising a wiping edge and inwardly thereof a plurality of uniformly-distributed, friction-engendering nubs on the surface portions of the bottom side at the forepart and heel end bounded by the aforesaid ribs and groove.

Abstract: A sole made of rubber or other elastic material for shoes especially sport shoes, having a tread with studs or cleats distributed at least on part of the tread with at least some of the studs or cleats being inclined relative to the tread as the studs or cleats formed with a plurality of arms at least some of which extend at an angle of about 30.degree.-120.degree. with respect to each other and form an angle of about 10.degree.-85.degree. with respect to a base surface of the tread. According to some embodiments, the arms of the studs or cleats are of equal length, while in other embodiments the arms of the studs or cleats are of unequal length. Additionally, some embodiments extend at different angles with respect to the base surface of the sole or are formed of cleats having differing numbers and/or shapes of the arms of the tread. In some embodiments, the arms of the cleats are themselves provided with a tread of seven different possible types.

Abstract: A shoe sole having a tread preferably defining a longitudinally and/or laterally oriented concavity with the lower extremities of the sole embodied in downwardly and outwardly disposed flexible lugs to cushion the foot against impact loads. The tread members are preferably inclined at an obtuse angle to the lower surface of the sole for spreading outwardly upon impact with the ground to dissipate the impact forces outwardly away from the foot and leg of the wearer. Rows of lugs may be spaced inwardly from the sole edges of a lesser vertical dimension than the outermost lugs and serve to supplement cushioning. A web extends between some of the outer lugs to reinforce same against load deflection. Further, the outer lugs may be of non-uniform lateral dimension at the heel portion of the sole.

Abstract: There is disclosed an athletic shoe that finds most efficacy with joggers. The shoe is supplied with a conventional upper and sole. The usual lacing arrangement is provided with the exception that additional lacing means is provided along both sides of the shoe whereby the counter containing heel portion of the shoe is constrained in a manner so that the heel portion of the athletic shoe is brought inward in the direction of the centerline of the shoe to effectively lock the heel portion with the front portion. The tying arrangement may be a continuation of the usual lacings or may be two separate laces, but in any event essentially locks the front and back of the shoe together. The lace arrangement extending to the counter or heel portion is positioned whereby the means is substantially parallel to a "spring" ligament as normally located in the foot.

Abstract: An improved athletic shoe having an injection-molded intermediate portion bonding a fabric upper portion and a rubber outsole portion, for improved fit and comfort, and decreased injury-causing fatigue, particularly adapted for use in the playing court-type sports such as basketball is disclosed. The injection-molded intermediate portion conforms to and partially envelopes the metatarsal area and the heel area of the wearer's foot, and has an intermediate portion which gives lateral support to the instep area of a wearer's foot, such that the shoe moves as a unit together with the wearer's foot. An elastic band is provided about the ankle opening, which is disposed in the area of the subtalar ankle joint, put into tension to retain the shoe upon the foot of the wearer as the shoelace is tied.

Abstract: An outer sole (16) for use with an athletic shoe (10) is disclosed. The outer sole (16) is comprised of a base member (18) from which three layers of projections extend. The layers of projections include a first plurality of horizontal bars (24) whose width varies in accordance with the load exerted on the bottom of the sole during normal running; supplemental and intermediate bars (26, 28) extending downwardly from the first set of bars (24); and pairs of ridges (30) extending down from each intermediate bar (28) adjacent the lateral edges of the intermediate bars (28).

Abstract: Karate protective equipment including a glove, a boot and a shinguard, is formed of an outer soft foam material and selectively positioned harder, inner foam layers for added protection.

Abstract: This foot protector includes a front portion providing protection for the toes and instep of the wearer and a rear portion protecting the ankles and heel, the protector being open at the bottom. The rear portion of the protector includes heel side margins extending downwardly from the top of the protector and terminating upwardly of the bottom to define separable side flap portions and a connecting lower portion for the rear side portions. The heel side margins include arcuate interconnected lower portions and an integrally formed reinforcing pad extends transversely of said side margins. A connector element releasably connects the separable side flap portions.

Abstract: A spring device for a shoe such as a skate shoe having a sole plate provided with threaded bolts for mounting wheels which includes a unitary strip of spring metal having upper and lower portions arranged in vertically spaced, parallel relationship and having a length corresponding generally to the distance between the toe and heel of the shoe, the upper and lower portions being interconnected by a rearwardly and downwardly inclined intermediate portion with apertures in the upper portion for accommodating the bolts so that with the use of nuts the upper portion may be detachably mounted on the sole plate thereby providing a spring action for movement on the ground by the wearer of the shoes.

Abstract: An improved athletic shoe in which the solepiece has a wedge to facilitate supporting the runner's foot when contacting the ground; the toe box section being provided with pleats to allow expansion for toe movement when the foot flexes; the solepiece is provided with a flexure break segment of reduced thickness following the phalangal-metatarsal joint line of action of the human foot to permit differential flexure of the solepiece in a manner following such lines of action; and the heel part of the solepiece is rounded for optimizing initial and following ground foot contact.

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: .[.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.