Abstract: A biochemically tuned shoe has a heel construction that provides a force-deflection response which is optimal for a particular person and a particular use. The heel construction features a main spring that is characterized by a large vertical compliance while at the same time exhibiting an extremely high resistance to a lateral shear (horizontal compliance). The main spring is preferably a coned disk spring formed of a plastic material or a vertical stack of operatively coupled coned disk springs. The main spring can be embedded in a conventionally shaped heel formed of a resilient material such as an open or closed cell foamed rubber or plastic secured to the sole of the shoe. In other forms, the heel construction is replaceably secured to the sole by a threaded stud with or without an intermediate assembly. In a preferred form, the main spring acts in cooperation with a resilient member to extend the characteristic load deflection curve of the main spring.

Abstract: A shoe having a sole, an upper formed from a relatively soft and extensible material, a lacing strip and a bandage connecting the lacing strip with the sole. The bandage is formed from a material which is less extensible than the material of the upper. The bandage includes an elongated portion and a connecting portion which extends laterally of the elongated portion at the juncture of the bandage with the lacing strip. The laterally-extensive connecting portion transmits forces from the lacing strip to the elongated portion, and substantially prevents transmission of such forces through the extensible material of the upper. Thus, the upper is less apt to become fatigued or distorted during wear. This abstract should not be taken as a complete exposition of the present invention.

Abstract: A lateral traction device is provided for use in combination with shoes. The device employes a traction surface, adapted to be mounted to at least one side of the shoe for enabling gripping of a surface when the shoe is rotated about a horizontal axis.

Abstract: A process for making a shoe for use in conjunction with various sports. The shoe comprises an upper portion, a walking sole, an intermediate element and at least one projecting portion. The process comprises the steps of integrating the projecting portion together with the intermediate element to form an integral assembly and then integrating the integral assembly with the upper portion and the walking sole to form the shoe.

Abstract: Novel surfing footwear is provided which comprises a foot covering in the form of a flexible boot or sandle, preferably open toed, or a thin elastic stocking, the bottom of which includes surf board traction improving means, such as spaced suction cups or the like, integral with the boot, sandle, or stocking, or individually or collectively releasably secured thereto. Preferably, the suction cups extend up around the heel and, in the case of the boot or sandle, may decrease in height from rear to front to permit the surfers' toes to contact the surfboard to "hang ten". The bottom portion of the boot or sandle may be thickened to stabilize the boot or sandle and to make the action of the suction cups more uniform. The footwear is light in weight, inexpensive, durable, and highly effective to increase traction of the surfers' foot on the surfboard for improved surfing.

Abstract: An athletic shoe construction having shock absorbing elements in the heel and forefoot areas of the sole portion of the shoe which elements are surrounded on their sides by comparatively hard rim portions of a sole shell or mid-sole.

Abstract: A shoe having a heel restraint secured by an adjustable and flexible closure assembly utilizing separable fastening members having coacting, flexible gripping elements, such as hook and loop fastening means and operating separately from the fastening means to fasten the shoe. The closure assembly includes an anchor strap having an opening adapted to receive a fastener strap which makes it easy to adjust for and maintain the precise tension desired at the wearer's heel by providing a sturdy, adjustable heel restraint and stabilizer to independently control the tension on the heel section of the shoe.

Abstract: A pocket for an athletic shoe utilizing a flat sheet of material which is fastened to the outer side of the same, rearward of the normal walking crease of the upper. The pocket also contains a closure flap connected to the flat sheet and a closure device which seals the pocket.

Abstract: A flexible foot wrap is provided for supporting the metatarsal arch region of the foot and is adapted for use during activities requiring foot covering. The foot wrap has a fabric panel that supports a cushion, and a strap that extends around the heel of the foot and is attached at opposite sides of the panel. A second strap extends over the top midportion of the foot to hold the cushion against the sole of the foot, and this second strap has opposite ends connected to opposite sides of the panel. Preferably the fabric panel and straps are formed of elastic material, and at least one of the straps is formed in two sections that are releasably attachable to one another for purposes of adjustment of the foot wrap to feet of different sizes.

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 athletic shoe for running and having a bar tread configuration providing improved traction with the running surface while cushioning the foot and providing improved flexibility so as not to limit the bending of the foot.

Abstract: An athletic shoe particularly adapted for use in racing and training, having a tilted cleat configuration on the sole for contacting the running surface in a manner to provide good traction while effectively cushioning the foot and leg of the wearer when the foot strikes the ground.

Abstract: This invention is a reinforced ventilated shoe. It is formed with a strip of shoe cover material circumscribing the toe, sole, arch and heel. Reinforcing strips are provided to form an ankle band and parallel instep strips which extend from the toe portion to the ends of the ankle band. A vertically disposed strip connect the heel portion of the circumscribing strip and the back of the ankle band. Side strips connect the ankle band at one end and the other ends of the side strips are bifurcated below the ankle bone and connect the arch portion of the sole at spaced points. Other strips are provided connecting the parallel instep strips and the sole portion of the circumscribing strip; and strips horizontally disposed connecting the parallel instep strips and the vertically disposed strip at the heel. The shoe is provided with air penetratable netting in the spaces between the strips.

Abstract: An otherwise conventional soccer shoe having two visually distinctive areas located in two regions of the shoe where proper contact with a soccer ball should be made. The first area covers a substantial part of the toe region of the shoe and the second area covers a substantial part of the instep sidewall region of the shoe. The two areas are visually distinctive from the remainder of the shoe.

Abstract: This foot protector includes a front portion providing a protective cover for the toes and instep of the wearer and a wrap-around rear portion protecting the back and ankle portions of the foot, the protector being fully open at the bottom. The rear portion of the protector includes oppositely disposed sides extending above the front portion and the rear portion is formed into separable portions which are provided with lace openings. The upper side portions are also provided with lace openings so that the separated side portions can be laced together by a single lace which extends around the ankle to draw the sides together and secure the protector to the foot. Reinforcing strips are provided to strengthen the lace margins and the junction between the front and rear portions of the shoe.

Abstract: This foot protector includes a front portion providing a protective cover for the toes and instep of the wearer and a wrap-around rear portion protecting the back and ankle portions of the foot, the protector being fully open at the bottom. The rear portion of the protector includes oppositely disposed sides and is formed into separable portions which are provided with lace openings so that they can be laced together by a single lace. The lace includes a side lace portion which draws the sides together, and a transverse portion which extends under the foot and cooperates with the side lacing to secure the protector to the foot. Reinforcing strips are provided to strengthen the lace margins and the junction between the front and rear portions of the shoe.

Abstract: A sports shoe, in particular a tennis shoe, has a sole made of rubber or flexible plastics material and a protective layer of chrome-tanned leather is applied to the running surface of the sole at least in the area which is subject to wear, namely in the area of the point of the shoe, for wear resistance purposes.

Abstract: A shoe with a sole and an upper portion for general sporting activities and training, comprising a shell made in one piece from wear-resistant material, such as plastics, rubber and the like, and incorporating the sole and the upper portions of the shoe integral therewith. Inside the shell there is provided a liner having the form of a folded elongated strip internally overlying at least the sole portion, the heel and the instep portion of the shell and being bent at the toe portion and the heel portion to maintain continuity thereof and protect at least the arch, the toes, the plantar and heel portions of the wearer's foot.

Abstract: A kicking shoe is disclosed which comprises wedging means in the toe box for maintaining the toes of a wearer in an upwardly flexed position. The resulting forward flexure of the toes facilitates "locking" of the wearer's ankle, and causes kicking force to be transmitted to a ball through the heads of the metatarsal bones of the foot rather than through the toes. Accordingly, the accuracy and distance of kicking are significantly improved by use of the shoe.

Abstract: An athletic shoe particularly adapted to support the foot while the wearer is running, and having a particular cleat configuration on the sole for contacting the ground or running surface in a manner to both cushion the foot and leg of the wearer and provide improved traction as the heel strikes the surface.

Abstract: A sport shoe construction of the type where a shell edge band peripherally overlies at least a portion of the marginal edge of the shoe outersole and the adjacent marginal edge portion of the upper shaft material, the incorporation of a plurality of mechanical gripping members operatively embedded in said upper shaft material and the interfacially abutting portion of said shell edge selectively positioned to mechanically restrain downward movement of said shell edge relative to the interfacially abutting portions of the shaft material.

Abstract: This invention builds into a standard high or ankle covering boot new and novel structure which consists of the specific padding required to make the boot safe for use in Full-Body-Contact Karate, Kick Boxing, and similar martial combat sports. The padding built into the boot has specific structure.

Abstract: A canvas-type athletic shoe, particularly adapted for playing street hockey. The shoe is provided with a plurality of triangularly shaped gripping members, each having a principal sloping face depending outwardly from the bottom of the shoe. The principal sloping face of each triangularly shaped gripping member may be either the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle, the longest side of an obtuse triangle, either equal side of an isosceles triangle, or, the longer of the two sides of a scalene triangle which are not adjacent to the bottom of the shoe. Each triangularly shaped gripping member is said to point in the direction of the acute angle each principal sloping face makes with the bottom of the shoe.

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