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

Abstract: A shoe sole includes a rotatable pivot assembly to allow easy pivoting of a ball region of a shoe. The shoe sole includes a pivot cavity defined by an upper plate support surface and a lower plate support surface having an aperture therein. A rotatable pivot assembly includes a pivot plate and a sole element attached thereto. The pivot plate is pivotally constrained within the pivot cavity and the sole element extends through the aperture in the pivot cavity to define an exterior contact surface. Preferably contacting surfaces of the pivot plate and upper plate support surface are formed of a low coefficient of friction material to allow easy rotation of the pivot plate within the cavity. Because the assembly can be made thin with minimal parts, it results in a structure that substantially retains the look, feel and balance of a normal shoe while being able to achieve improved pivot action.

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 padded shoe includes a flexible, resilient sole having a substantially outer surface. A shoe upper is adjoined to the sole, the shoe upper having closed-cell foam padding disposed therein. The shoe upper includes a padded tongue including an inner tongue portion and an outer padded tongue portion. Fastening structure retains the shoe on the foot of a wearer. Engagement structure is included for securing the outer padded tongue to cover the inner tongue portion. The outer padded tongue portion substantially covers the engagement structure. The wearer can strike a target with the shoe, and the target and the wearer are protected from injury caused by direct impact with the fastening structure and the engagement structure.

Abstract: A method for protecting the ankle against injury, limit subtalar joint motion of the ankle by controlling the motions of segments of the subtalar joint fore and aft of the subtalar joint while permitting motion of the foot about the ankle joint with an improved athletic shoe, ankle orthosis. A supporting structure a part of or connected to the shoe or orthosis is preferably in the form of a heel-sole counter provided about the heel and at least a portion of the foot forward of the subtalar joint which includes a split toe sole extension. The supporting structure has a semi-rigid shape retaining character which is not collapsible vertically and which together with the shoe or orthosis limits torsional movement of the foot about the longitudinal axis of the subtalar joint as seen in a top plan view thereof by an upwardly extending portion thereof which acts as a torsion bar that is, in turn, secured to the lower leg.

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

Abstract: A shoe having a sole contour which follows a theoretically ideal stability plane as a basic concept, but which deviates outwardly therefrom to provide greater than natural stability. Thickness variations outwardly from the stability plane are disclosed, along with density variations to achieve a similar greater than natural stability.

Abstract: A structural chassis includes a structural chassis and a foam chassis or sock liner sandwiched together to form an assembly that can be inserted into and substantially occupy a footbed of a shoe upper. Discrete sole elements are attached to a bottom side of the upper so as to expose certain portions of the bottom side therebetween. This absence of outsole material in those areas makes the upper collapsible about those areas since the outsole provides no support in those areas. Instead, the structure is provided by the chassis of the chassis, which is customized to the user's foot by placing one or more notches in strategic locations along the chassis where the foot naturally flexes. One such notch is located on the chassis in a position that allows the chassis to flex about a forward push-off axis of the foot that runs through the first and second MTP joints.

Abstract: A shoe cleat connector for use with a receptacle attached to a shoe includes a substratum having a plurality of independent posts extending therefrom, with a retaining member disposed at a distal end and extending radially from each post. The receptacle includes a cavity with cantilevered fingers disposed near the periphery of the cavity. Each retaining member of the cleat connector includes a peripherally contoured series of adjacent planar surfaces that successively engage a corresponding cantilevered finger when the retaining members are inserted and rotated within the receptacle cavity, which results in the cleat connector being secured within the receptacle.

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 construction for a shoe, particularly an athletic shoe such as a running shoe, includes a sole that is constructed according to the applicant's prior invention of a theoretically ideal stability plane. Such a shoe sole according to that prior invention 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 sides contour equals and therefore varies exactly as the thickness of the load-bearing sole portion.

Abstract: A shoe sole particularly for athletic footwear for supporting the foot of an intended wearer having multiple rounded bulges existing as viewed in a frontal plane of the sole when the shoe is upright and in an unloaded condition. The bulges include concavely rounded inner and outer portions for approximating the structure of and support provided by the natural foot. The bulges can be located proximate to important structural support areas of an intended wearer's foot on either or both sides of the shoe sole or the middle portion of the shoe sole, or on various combinations of these locations. The bulges include side and upper midsole portions to improve stability while also improving cushion and comfort. The bulges can be tapered as viewed in a horizontal plane to improve flexibility and reduce unnecessary weight.

Abstract: A shoe having an anthropomorphic sole that copies the underlying stability, support, and cushioning structures of the human foot. Natural stability is provided by attaching a completely flexible but relatively inelastic shoe sole upper directly to the bottom sole, enveloping the sides of the midsole, instead of attaching it to the top surface of the shoe sole. Doing so puts the flexible side of the shoe upper under tension in reaction to destabilizing sideways forces on the shoe causing it to tilt. That tension force is balanced and in equilibrium because the bottom sole is firmly anchored by body weight, so the destabilizing sideways motion is neutralized by the tension in the flexible sides of the shoe upper. Support and cushioning is provided by shoe sole compartments filled with a pressure-transmitting medium like liquid, gas, or gel. Unlike similar existing systems, direct physical contact occurs between the upper surface and the lower surface of the compartments, providing firm, stable support.

Abstract: A shoe having a sole contour which follows a theoretically ideal stability plane as a basic concept, but which deviates, outwardly therefrom to provide greater than natural stability. Thickness variations outwardly from the stability plane are disclosed, along with density variations to achieve a similar greater than natural stability.

Abstract: A sports boot having an upper, a wear sole and an intermediate sole that has a heel zone with a lateral side, a medial side and a rear side surrounding a central padding. The boot also has a heel bracket with a lateral belt applied against the lateral side, a medial belt applied against the medial side, a rear belt applied against the rear side, a lateral anchoring, a medial anchoring, and retaining arrangement connecting the lateral and medial anchoring at a substantially constant distance one from the other. Furthermore, with the plane of the wear sole as a plane of reference, the elevation of the rear belt is substantially the same as the elevation of the lateral belt and of the medial belt. The retaining arrangement connecting the lateral and medial anchoring can be a strap made from the same material as the heel bracket and integrally formed therewith, or even horizontal tongues that are sandwiched between the intermediate sole and the wear sole at the moment of assembly.

Abstract: Footwear for a human foot containing an elongated sole piece having a front, middle and rear section and having a ground engaging bottom surface and an upper surface in which the wearer's foot is received and, an upper piece secured to said sole piece, said upper piece providing an enclosed embracing foot enclosure having a counter section at the rear of the foot, a mid-body section, and a toe box section at the front, wherein said sole piece has a curved sole at the rear section of the sole to permit the user's foot to be tilted forward to enhance the power of the push when the user's foot makes contact with ground when the user strikes at the user's heel. In addition, the shoe can have an improved tread design and a removable and replaceable shock absorbing insert. The shoe preferably employs the principle of energy conversion.

Abstract: A cleated sole for footwear such as an athletic shoe designed for field sports, trail running or rugged walking. A midsole layer includes shock attenuating structures. The outsole includes a plurality of crossbeams formed as curved ground facing portions oriented from the medial to the lateral border of the sole. Cleats are mounted on the lower facing surface of the crossbeams. The outsole to midsole interface above each crossbeam is commensurate in shape to the lower facing curved surface of the crossbeam. Pressure created by a cleat striking the ground surface during use is diffused through the crossbeam, outsole and midsole into the wearer's foot. This moderates the cleat pressure pattern while providing side to side stiffness for the sole.

Abstract: A high top golf shoe comprising; spikes, a heel, fastening means and high top uppers.

Abstract: A sole assembly (1) for a sports shoe includes an upper layer (10), a middle layer (20) and a lower layer (30), which are integral with each other. The upper layer (10) and the lower layer (30) are formed of soft elastic materials, such as foamed rubber or the like. The middle layer (20) has a sheet (22) formed of synthetic resin or synthetic rubber with a hardness greater than that of the upper layer (10) and the lower layer (30). The sheet (22) has a plurality of protrusions or cleats (21) of truncated cone-shape that protrude downwardly and that are formed integrally with the sheet (22). The lower layer (30) has a plurality of through holes (31) receiving respective cleats (21) for insertion thereinto. The lower layer (30) made of a soft elastic member secures gripping properties and shock absorbing properties. An edge portion of a distal end (21a) of the cleat (21) advances the gripping properties by contacting the ground.

Abstract: A sandal construction having ankle and heel straps that are secured to the sandal by a pair of posts. Each of the posts is affixed to the sole at two laterally spaced-apart locations to provide the posts with substantial lateral stability. The posts preferably have a generally “inverted Y-shape,” with an inner leg secured to the sole in a first location and an outer leg secured to the sole at a second location spaced laterally outwardly from the first location. The inner leg of the post preferably extends through a slot in the sole and is adhesively secured to the undersurface of the midsole and the outer leg preferably extends along and is adhesively secured to the side surface of the sole.

Abstract: The invention is an article of footwear having a sole comprised of one or more support elements formed of a resilient, compressible material. The support elements are designed such that impact forces generated by movements of a wearer deflect the support elements in a manner that produces a force directed to center the wearer's foot above the sole. The directed deflection characteristics of the support elements are due to a downward cant of the support elements' upper surfaces and flexion indentations that facilitate bending in one direction.

Abstract: A padded shoe includes a shoe upper which is adjoined to a sole. The shoe upper and the sole can have padding material disposed therein. The shoe upper includes a padded tongue, which can have an inner tongue portion and an outer tongue portion. A fastening structure, which can be tightenable to maintain the shoe on the foot of the wearer, can be disposed between the inner and outer tongue portions. Alternatively, a resilient portion can be connected to the shoe upper, whereby a portion of the shoe upper can be outwardly distended to allow insertion of the foot of the wearer. The shoe can include an engagement structure to secure the outer tongue portion to at least one of the inner tongue portion and the shoe upper.

Abstract: Golf shoes comprise a shoe 1 for a pivoting foot and a shoe 3 for a kicking foot. Outsoles of the shoe 1 for a pivoting foot and the shoe 3 for a kicking foot are formed of rubber or synthetic resin. A projection 7 is formed on a bottom surface of the shoe 3 for a pivoting foot. The projection 7 includes an almost semicircular bottom surface 11, a toe side wall 13 to be a curved surface and a heel side wall 15 to be a rectangular plane. The toe side wall 13 has a convex shape in a direction of a toe. A projection 19 is formed on a bottom surface of the shoe 3 for a kicking foot. The projection 19 includes an almost semicircular bottom surface 22, a heel sidewall 23 to be a curved surface and a toe side wall 25 to be a rectangular plane. The heel side wall 23 has a convex shape in a direction of a heel. If a golf player wears the golf shoes, slip can be prevented during a swing.

Abstract: A climbing shoe includes an inner sole, an outer sole and a molded middle sole between the inner sole and the outer sole. The middle sole is concave in shape. The outer sole conforms to the concave shape of the middle sole. The concave shape allows the outer sole to hook on a rocky ledge. The molded middle sole provides a structure that causes the concave outer sole to substantially maintain the concave shape when pressure is applied to the outer sole.

Abstract: The martial arts shoe is comprised of a sole and an upper attached thereon. The sole has a raised rim. A rib is attached to the sole on an outer side of the shoe for providing better grip and for protecting the outer edge of the foot. A rigid insert is embedded in the rim for additional protection. The rim has gaps on the sides near the front to enable a toe portion of the sole to bend back more fully for front kicks. A tread pattern on the bottom of the sole includes suction cups along the outer edge for grip, transverse grooves at the toe area for grip, longitudinal grooves behind the toe area for fore and aft sliding, and concentric circular grooves at the ball and heel areas for pivoting.

Abstract: A midsole comprises a heel cup having a semi-rigid upper plate, a lower plate composed of a material that is softer than the upper plate, and at least one telescopic shock absorber between the upper and lower plates. The telescopic shock absorbers have one portion that collapses into a second portion when the shock absorber is loaded or compressed. On release of the load, the shock absorbers of the invention return only a controlled portion of the compressive load originally applied. A second embodiment has a translucent heel cup and shock absorbers and a lamp for illuminating the heel cup and shock absorbers.

Abstract: A spike includes an upper fastener for securing to a shoe sole, and includes a lower stem. A cap is attached to the stem. A cushioning pad is engaged between the cap and the spike, and/or another cushioning pad is engaged between the cap and the stem for cushioning and absorbing a shock and a vibration that may be transmitted from the cap to the spike or to the stem, and for preventing the users from being hurt by the shock and the vibration. The cap includes one or more catches for catching an enlarged head of the stem and for rotatably catching the cap to the stem.

Abstract: An athletic shoe including a upper, a support member or “chassis” attached to the underside of the upper, and sole elements attached to the bottom of the support member. The support member provides support for the foot, and thereby permits use of spaced apart sole elements rather than a full midsole and a full outsole. In addition, the support member can be tailored to provide the optimum stiffness for a particular activity or user.

Abstract: A shock absorbing section (10) of a shoe sole (1) is provided with a shearing transformation element (11). This shearing transformation element (11, 11A) is supported at an upper position dislocated forward (F) with respect to a grounding surface (20) so that it performs a shearing transformation independently due to a load (W) applied from above.

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sporting and exercising device comprising an upper foot-receiving portion and a lower spring portion. The spring portion comprises an upper spring layer arched upwardly, a lower spring layer arched downwardly, an intermediate, generally flat and substantially elastic elongate member, a first connecting member for interconnecting first ends of the intermediate member, upper spring layer and lower spring layer, and a second connecting member for interconnecting second ends of the intermediate member, upper spring layer and lower spring layer. The intermediate member has two longitudinally spaced apart openings each having a peripheral contour and a needle extending across the opening from the peripheral contour thereof. Resilient shock absorbing bodies each have an annular groove for receiving the peripheral contour of one of the openings and a hole which opens in the annular groove for receiving the corresponding needle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to athletic shoes used in sports that require asymmetric movement of the feet, such as fencing. The asymmetric shoes of the present invention include a trailing shoe and a leading shoe that are each specially adapted to the particular asymmetric movement of the trailing and leading foot, respectively, allowing each foot to perform optimally. The leading and trailing shoes each include an upper and a sole. The trailing shoe sole includes front, rear, lateral, and medial portions, the lateral sole portion having a greater thickness than the medial portion.

Abstract: An improved composite for absorbing and dispersing impacting forces is disclosed. The composite includes a flexible plastic enclosure defining an internal cavity. The flexible enclosure is generally impermeable to air and capable of having its internal pressure changed. The composite further includes a foam core filling the cavity and retained within the cavity and adhered on substantially all of its external surface to the internal surface of the cavity. The cavity can be pressurized for higher impact absorbance. Methods for fabricating the composites are disclosed, as well.

Abstract: An insole for shoes for soccer, running or similar sports having a contoured plate-like element made of plastics, which has a first through slot composed of a transverse portion which lies ahead of the position of the line of optimum flexing of the foot, and of two longitudinal portions which protrude from the preceding portion toward the plantar arch. The insole further having a second through slot which extends from the outward region of the heel, adjacent to the plantar arch, and has a first portion directed forward, a second portion directed backward, and a wider end portion arranged in a central rear region.

Abstract: A one-piece toe plate is removably placeable inside the toe box of a shoe such as a running shoe, a sneaker or the like to protect the wearer's toes. The footwear can thus be used in a work situation requiring foot protection, but will be comfortable and amenable to changing shoes.

Abstract: A padded shoe includes a shoe upper which is adjoined to a sole. The shoe upper and the sole can have padding material disposed therein. The shoe upper includes a padded tongue, which can have an inner tongue portion and an outer tongue portion. A fastening structure, which can be tightenable to maintain the shoe on the foot of the wearer, can be disposed between the inner and outer tongue portions. Alternatively, a resilient portion can be connected to the shoe upper, whereby a portion of the shoe upper can be outwardly distended to allow insertion of the foot of the wearer. The shoe can include an engagement structure to secure the outer tongue portion to at least one of the inner tongue portion and the shoe upper.

Abstract: A removably attachable traction gear for the underside of footwear having two primary components: a retaining member and a receptacle. These two components respectively replace the common screw and threaded receptacle systems found in for affixing traction gear to the underside of shoes. A partial turn of the traction gear securely locks the gear into the receptacle. The retaining member has a three-extension design so as to make the traction gear resistant to lateral forces applied to the ground-engaging end of the cleat. Locking is achieved through use of cantilevered fingers which press in during installation of the retaining member, and which spring back out to lock with mated indentations in the extensions. During installation a dome containing insole material is compressed. Unlocking is achieved through reverse turning the retaining member to force the springs back in, and removal is aided through re-expansion of the dome. In a preferred form, the invention is utilized to attach a golf cleat to a shoe.

Abstract: A shoe having a sole contour which follows a theoretically ideal stability plane as a basic concept, but which deviates outwardly therefrom to provide greater than natural stability. Thickness variations outwardly from the stability plane are disclosed, along with density variations to achieve a similar greater than natural stability.

Abstract: A construction for a shoe, particularly an athletic shoe, which includes a sole that conforms to the natural shape of the foot shoe, including the bottom and the sides, when that foot sole deforms naturally by flattening under load while walking or running in order to provide a stable support base for the foot and ankle. Deformation sipes such as slits or channels are introduced in horizontal plane of the shoe sole to provide it with flexibility roughly equivalent to that of the foot. The result is a shoe sole that accurately parallels the frontal plane deformation of the foot sole, which creates a stable base that is wide and flat even when tilted sideways in extreme pronation or supination motion. In marked contrast, conventional shoe soles are rigid and become highly unstable when tilted sideways because they are supported only by a thin bottom edge.

Abstract: A shoe sole having at least one midsole or outer surface portion that is concavely rounded relative to a space inside the shoe adapted to receive an intended wearer's foot. The sole includes a midsole and an outer sole. The midsole extends up the side of the sole to a vertical height above the vertical height of a lowest point of the inner midsole surface. The midsole includes a portion of greatest thickness in a side portion that is greater than a thickness of a second midsole portion located in a middle sole portion of the shoe sole. The combination of the midsole height and thickness with the concavely rounded surface portion together provide improved stability of the shoe sole.

Abstract: Disclosed is a soccer shoe having a structure, which allows a user to kick a ball farther, lessens the pain in a kicker's feet, and allows the shoe to maintain its shape after kicking a ball or even after being used for relatively long time. The soccer shoe has a sole member and an upper fixed to the sole member. The upper has; an inner coat fitly surrounding and being in contact with the heel, the inside foot, the outside foot, the toe, and the instep portions of the user, when the user puts on the soccer shoe, the inner coat being made from cloth; a sponge layer being adhered to an outer surface of the inner coat, the sponge layer being made from compressed sponge; a rubber layer being adhered to an outer surface of the sponge layer, the rubber layer being made from natural rubber, the rubber layer having a thickness between 0.38 mm and 0.

Abstract: A removably attachable traction gear for the underside of footwear having two primary components: a retaining member and a receptacle. These two components respectively replace the common screw and threaded receptacle systems found in for affixing traction gear to the underside of shoes. A partial turn of the traction gear securely locks the gear into the receptacle. The retaining member has a three-extension design so as to make the traction gear resistant to lateral forces applied to the ground-engaging end of the cleat. Locking is achieved through use of cantilevered fingers which press in during installation of the retaining member, and which spring back out to lock with mated indentations in the extensions. During installation a dome containing insole material is compressed. Unlocking is achieved through reverse turning the retaining member to force the springs back in, and removal is aided through re-expansion of the dome.

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: The present invention relates to athletic shoes used in sports that require asymmetric movement of the feet, such as fencing. The asymmetric shoes of the present invention include a trailing shoe and a leading shoe that are each specially adapted to the particular asymmetric movement of the trailing and leading foot, respectively, allowing each foot to perform optimally. The leading and trailing shoes each include an upper and a sole. The trailing shoe sole includes front, rear, lateral, and medial portions, the lateral sole portion having a greater thickness than the medial portion.

Abstract: An athletic shoe sole for a shoe has side portions with concavely rounded inner and outer surfaces, as viewed in at least a heel area and a midtarsal area of the shoe sole. The rounded surfaces increasing at least one of lateral and medial stability of the sole. The concavely rounded portion of the sole outer surface located at the heel area extends substantially continuously through a sidemost part of the sole side. The rounded portion of the sole outer surface located at the midtarsal area extends up the sole side to at least a level corresponding to a lowest point of the sole inner surface. A midsole component of the shoe sole extends into the sidemost section of the sole side and also extends up the sole side to above a level corresponding to a lowest point of the sole inner surface. The concavely rounded portions of the sole midtarsal area are located at least at the sole lateral side.

Abstract: An athletic training shoe that is designed to simulate beach training (exercising in sand) so as to provide the user with all of the positive effects of beach training which result in improved running speed, vertical jump, pedal agility and quickness. Such benefits are easily understood where greater demands are placed on an athlete's muscles when walking, running, or jumping on a beach as opposed to other common surfaces. The muscles of the lower leg are strengthened and elongated simultaneously as they are put through a broader range of motion. The athletic training shoe is comprised of a highly pliable, foot-receiving member which places the user's foot in an ample depth of sand simulating material contained by a material holding element, positioned specifically under the front portion of the user's foot. This causes the user's weight and momentum to be supported by the muscles of the lower leg and foot that control flexion of the foot and toes.

Abstract: A shoe sole particularly for athletic footwear for supporting the foot of an intended wearer having multiple rounded bulges existing as viewed in a frontal plane of the sole during a shoe unloaded, upright condition. The bulges include concavely rounded inner and outer portions for approximating the structure of and support provided by the natural foot. When utilizing multiple bulges, the shoe sole may include indentations between the bulges to define a flexibility axis of the shoe sole. The bulges can be located proximate to important structural support areas of an intended wearer's foot on either or both sides of the shoe sole or the middle portion of the shoe sole, or on various combinations of these locations. The bulges include side and upper midsole portions to improve stability while also improving cushioning and comfort. The bulges can be tapered as viewed in a horizontal plane to improve flexibility and reduce unnecessary weight.

Abstract: A supportive, lightweight athletic shoe construction is described which includes an inflatable upper and a sole. The upper includes a foot conforming support member, an inflatable exoskeleton and an overlay which inhibits outward bulging of the exoskeleton. The sole includes a rigid carrier element, a forefoot unit and a heel unit. The forefoot unit includes a plurality of components which are arranged to work with the biomechanics of the foot. The athletic shoe is structurally minimalistic and functionally efficient.

Abstract: An article of footwear, e.g., a shoe for running, jogging, and walling, that is designed to provide a better and more anatomical fit to the wearer's foot to enhance performance and provide better arch support. The shoe includes an articulated arch that is independent from the main sole unit to provide better arch support, optimal comfort, and enhanced articulation. A heel notch is cut in the medial and lateral quarter panels to enable the shoe to move in a manner more like the human foot. A heel clip is provided, in lieu of a traditional heel counter, to provide a secure fit in the heel region without the inflexibility and discomfort of a traditional heel counter.