Abstract: An athletic shoe includes a sole, an upper, a plurality of band-shaped members, and a fastening member. The upper has a toe portion, a heel portion, a forefoot portion and a lower periphery. The upper is secured to the sole and has a plurality of elongated through holes at regions except the toe portion and the heel portion. The band-shaped members are secured to the sole or the lower periphery of the upper and extend upwardly toward an instep of a foot of a shoe wearer. The fastening member is connected to each upper end of the band-shaped members.

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: An athletic shoe includes a sole, an upper, a plurality of band-shaped members, and a fastening member. The upper has a toe portion, a heel portion, a forefoot portion and a lower periphery. The upper is secured to the sole and has a plurality of elongated through holes at regions except the toe portion and the heel portion. The band-shaped members are secured to the sole or the lower periphery of the upper and extend upwardly toward an instep of a foot of a shoe wearer. The fastening member is connected to each upper end of the band-shaped members.

Abstract: An athletic shoe includes a sole, an upper, a plurality of band-shaped members, and a fastening member. The upper has a toe portion, a heel portion, a forefoot portion and a lower periphery. The upper is secured to the sole and has a plurality of elongated through holes at regions except the toe portion and the heel portion. The band-shaped members are secured to the sole or the lower periphery of the upper and extend upwardly toward an instep of a foot of a shoe wearer. The fastening member is connected to each upper end of the band-shaped members.

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 running shoe having a heel, a toe and exhibiting a frame and an underlying sole for running. The front toe part is arranged to extend from a linear orientation with respect the frame to an upward bent orientation at an angle from the rear heel part of the frame. The sole having a front circular member and a back circular sole member wherein the front circular member having a break edge that is arranged to exhibit a fall function for the shoe after its contact with and roll off along a surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sole for a shoe, in particular a trail running shoe. The sole includes at least one first ground engaging profile element having a first flexibility and at least one second ground engaging profile element having a second flexibility. The second profile element has a ridge or riblike shape and the second flexibility is greater than the first flexibility. The invention also relates to a sole for a shoe including at least two ground engaging profile elements and a plurality of second ground engaging profile elements. The invention further relates to a shoe including a sole having at least one first ground engaging profile element with a first flexibility and at least one second ground engaging profile element with a second flexibility.

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: The present invention is directed to an article of footwear and method for making the same, where the article of footwear has a minimal number of upper pieces. The method of the present invention is directed to a process for manufacturing an article of footwear having a single or multiple layer upper. Each layer of the upper according to the present invention is constructed of a one-piece upper material. At least the outer layer of the upper is molded utilizing an embossing tool according to the present invention, such that the desired appearance of the upper is embossed on the outer layer. Additionally, the improved shoe manufacturing process of the present invention may further comprise the step of decorating at least the outer layer of the upper, by screen printing, sublimation, large format ink jet printing, cold and hot peel transfers, fabric dyeing and/or multi-layered digital printing, allowing for multiple or different colorways to be created using a single base color upper material.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a ground-contacting system including 3D deformation elements having interiors filled with either compressible fluid such as a gas or filled with other materials such as liquids, foams, viscous materials and/or viscoelastic materials. The 3D elements are designed to deform, distort or deflect in three mutually orthogonal directions simultaneously and are associated directly with the surfaces that routinely come in direct contact with a ground surface such as the underside of the sole and side portions of the shoe upper near the sole. The 3D elements are also designed to decrease the amount of force transfered to the wearers feet, legs, back and joints due to their ability to distort three dimensionally and to dissipate the energy of foot fall into thermal energy.

Abstract: Athletic footwear has an upper and sole.

Abstract: A spike for an athletic shoe having a ground engaging portion which is generally z-shaped in cross-section. A spike according to the invention includes a first elongate portion having second and third elongate portions extending angularly therefrom. The second and third portions are parallel in one embodiment. In other embodiment, the respective angles of the second and third portions with respect to the central portion may vary slightly. The invention is also embodied in a shoe having one or more spikes as described above and arranged in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A gaiter of flexible, substantially water-proof material, attached to the vamp portion and heel collar of a shoe upper. Preferably, the gaiter is a permanent, integral part of the shoe, due to a continuous stitching of the gaiter to the heel collar and eyelet stay along the vamp region of the upper. In a particular implementation, the gaiter has an elongated tongue portion extending along and underlying the tongue slot in the vamp region, and attached to the eyelet stays of the slot. A substantially tubular riser portion of the gaiter is integral with the tongue portion and is attached to and extends upwardly from the heel collar, to an open end. Conventional means, such as shoe laces, engage the eyelet stays directly or indirectly, for tightening the vamp over the wearer's instep. With the invention, however, the tongue of the shoe is constituted by the extension of the gaiter and therefore no water or debris can enter the forepart of the shoe through the vamp region.

Abstract: By analyzing the force which acts during actual running from a bio mechanical perspective and determining the most preferable positions of spikes on the shoe sole, spikes can be arrayed only in necessary positions and not in unnecessary positions so as to further lessen weight and also provide rigidity to the region wherein spike placement is voided, so as to deal with unwanted flexion of the shoe sole. A shoe sole for spiked track-and-field athletic shoes has spikes located only in positions corresponding to the heads of the metatarsals and in positions corresponding to the distal phalanxes. The shoe sole regions between the spikes arrayed in positions corresponding to the heads of the metatarsals and in positions corresponding to the distal phalanxes are provided with an appropriate rigidity.

Abstract: An outsole for a shoe is formed a thin, flexible, nonporous and inelastic sheet material having a pattern of perforations through it, and a plurality of tread elements of a hard, wear-resistant material molded onto a first side of the sheet material by a process in which the tread forming material is inject through the perforations in a manner such that at least some of the resultant tread elements have anchoring portions extending through the perforations from an opposite second side of the sheet material, a portion of the sheet material around the perforations being held between the tread elements and the anchoring portions. A pattern of treads of various shapes and sizes can be provided in a configuration generally conforming with the sole surface to which the outsole is to be applied, so that a minimum of tread material wastage occurs when the outsole is cut out from the sheet material.

Abstract: A spike for track shoes is disclosed. The spike has a central section in a cylindrical configuration having a first enlarged exterior diameter. It also has an upper section in a generally cylindrical configuration extending upwardly from the central section with a threaded exterior face for removable attachment to and removable attachment from the track shoe of a wearer, the exterior diameter of the upper section being less than the exterior diameter of the central section. Lastly, a lower section is provided having an uppermost region with a generally circular cross-sectional configuration with an exterior diameter less than that of the central sections. The lower section also has an axis co-extensive with the central and upper sections and a lowermost region with a circular cross-sectional configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the shoe soles of running shoes, particularly to running shoes used in sports in which bursts of speed are required, e.g., the 100-meter footrace or the approach run for the long jump. The object of the invention is to prevent the heel from touching ground during running and thereby prevent a decrease in running efficiency. A shoe sole for running shoes, therefore, has a forefoot portion which is thickly formed so as to allow for fixing of spikes. Behind the forefoot portion, a reinforcing member is provided to fill the region between the ground contact plane which is the same as the forefoot portion and the bottom surface of the last. A lateral rib and a medial rib are provided to the arch region. The lateral rib possesses a gradually inclined plane, the range thereof beginning from the rear edge portion of the reinforcing member provided to the ball region and extending to the front edge portion of the heel region.

Abstract: A sole for spiked track-and-field shoes has a wrap-up portion which extends via a coupling portion from a leading tip of a toe region of the sole proper. Multiple skid-preventing protrusions are fixed onto the toe region of the sole proper, the coupling portion, and the wrap-up portion in a perpendicular manner to the toe region of an underneath part of the sole, a surface of the coupling portion, and a surface of the wrap-up portion, respectively. The skid-preventing protrusions are formed higher than a line which connects the first row of the tips of the spike pins and the tips of the toe portion but lower than the spike pins.

Abstract: A hard plate of spike shoes for track races comprises a plurality of small projections or small holes on an anterior forefoot portion in at least half the forefoot portion, and a plurality of large projections greater than said small projections or small holes on a posterior forefoot portion.

Abstract: A hard plate of spike shoes for track races comprises a plurality of small projections or small holes on an anterior forefoot portion in at least half the forefoot portion, and a plurality of large projections greater than said small projections or small holes on a posterior forefoot portion.

Abstract: A shoe comprising an upper and multiple part sole. An inner sole engages the plantar surface of a foot. A shock absorbing midsole underlies the inner sole from a location underlying the toes to a location at the base of a heel of the foot. An outer sole includes a first portion under the forefoot to provide a second shock absorbing layer and to define a landing surface. A thin, relatively rigid portion underlies the heel and corresponding portion of the inner sole to support the heel. This portion is elevated above the landing surface to inhibit heel landings and strikes.

Abstract: A hard plate of spike shoes for track races comprises a plurality of small projections or small holes on an anterior forefoot portion in at least half the forefoot portion, and a plurality of large projections greater than said small projections or small holes on a posterior forefoot portion.

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 hard plate of spike shoes for track races comprises a plurality of small projections or small holes on an anterior forefoot portion in at least half the forefoot portion, and a plurality of large projections greater than said small projections or small holes on a posterior forefoot portion.

Abstract: A shoe part for running shoes for field and track events wherein each shoe has a sole, a hard plate for a forefoot portion of the shoe sole, including a plurality of columnar projections and a plurality of shorter projecting portions terminating short of the columnar projections on a surface side of the hard plate. The hard plate includes an elastic region projecting from adjacent surrounding surfaces of the hard plate and lying in a central region of the surface side of the hard plate at which maximum compressive load is applied during running.

Abstract: A spike is mountable onto the sole of a spiked track shoe which allows a runner to develop maximum propulsion against the field surface. The spike is removably attachable to the track shoe and includes an elongate support plate having at one end thereof a connection hole for connection with the shoe, and a spike portion disposed at the other end. The spike portion is disposed at an obtuse angle (i.e., greater than a right angle relative to the support plate). The spike is made of metal or of synthetic resin, and the spike portion may include one or more than one spike parts. The angle between the spike portion and the support plate is preferably between 95 and 130 degrees, and more preferably between 105 and 120 degrees. The spike portion is preferably convergent towards the tip thereof, for example in the shape of a cone. The spike portion may, however, also be suitably formed into a cylindrical shape, or in a stepped cylindrical shape.

Abstract: A hard plate of spike shoes for track races comprises a plurality of small projections or small holes on an anterior forefoot portion in at least half the forefoot portion, and a plurality of large projections greater than said small projections or small holes on a posterior forefoot portion.

Abstract: The footgear structure includes a first component, made of a single piece of synthetic material, having a rear upper portion which extends from an insole, and a second component having a front upper portion and a lining. The first and second components are mutually united, with the lining accommodated inside the rear upper portion.

Abstract: A running shoe comprising a front sole of hard plastic material for mounting gripping elements, and a support member arranged behind the rearmost gripping elements, of elastically deformable material. In order to ensure that it is better possible to maintain a foot attitude required for optimum running efficiency, the support member is a wedge member which increases in thickness in a rearward direction and which comprises a relatively hard but elastically pressure-deformable material, wherein the underside thereof is disposed approximately in one plane with the front sole, and the wedge member extends at least with its portion associated with the outer edge of the sole, into the shank region of the sole.

Abstract: A shoe has an artificial tendon system, including an elastic band extending through a passageway in the midsole of the shoe. One end of the elastic band is attached to the midsole within the passageway near the forefoot area and the other end is attached near the heel area of the shoe. When the shoe is used, extension of the elastic band stores energy during heelstrike and early propulsion and releases energy during toeoff.

Abstract: A sport shoe is provided having a circular cleat array disposed about but not directly beneath the metatarsal joint of the great toe. The shoe sole also includes a flex area in the region of the metatarsal joints. This combination permits flexure of and cradles the metatarsal joints on impact. Furthermore, the sport shoe preferably includes a toe drag element defined forwardly and upwardly of the metatarsal cradle and on the interior edge as a lip extending onto and over a portion of the shoe upper. The toe drag element protects the material of the shoe from the effects of toe drag while minimizing any reduction in flexibility of the shoe.

Abstract: An improved structure of the sole of shoes suitable for use in sports or any casual wear is characterized in that the mid-sole is provided with resilient spherical bodies within recesses in the front portion and/or the heel portion of the sole, and that the hardness of the resilient bodies can be adjusted to enhance the elasticity of the soles of the shoes by virtue of the fact that the spherical bodies can be inflated and deflated or can be bodily replaced, thereby enabling the requisite shock absorbing effect to relieve impact stress during running and fatigue during long walking to be obtained.

Abstract: An athletic shoe provided with a bottom structure embodying spaced, parallel midsole members, a shock-dispersing plate disposed therebetween and an outsole attached to the lower one of the midsole members, characterized in that the lowermost one of the midsole members and the outsole member contain at the heel vertical openings centered within the heel area which penetrate the layers such as to permit the shock-dispersing plate to yield in the area of the openings.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sport shoe that is adaptable for multiple competitive events. Specifically, the sport shoe is useful for both cycling and running without compromising either competition. The shoe uses clipless pedals which, heretofore, have only been useful with a cleat that is permanently attached to the cyclist's shoes. The shoes can be quickly mounted to the clipless pedal and the wearer can thus compete in running and cycling events without changing footwear. The shoe of the invention has a composite sole with an outer sole, an intermediate sole and a cushioning layer therebetween. The composite sole has a plurality of apertures which are positioned on a preselected array and which receive a plurality of detent members, preferably in the form of upright posts which are permanently affixed to a pedal of a cycle. The upright posts have detent members which snap into the composite sole, thereby firmly securing the shoe to the pedal of a bicycle without any clips or attachment cleats.

Abstract: A composite rubber sheet material and a sport shoe including a composite rubber sheet material includes a sponge rubber sheet and a mesh cloth having a percentage of voids in the range of 15 to 75%. The mesh cloth is inset in one side surface of the sponge rubber sheet to a depth ranging from 5 to 75% of the thickness of the mesh cloth for enhancing the stability, durability, bendability and flexibility of the composite rubber sheet material.

Abstract: An athletic running shoe having a polymeric foamed midsole and a special stiffening formation formed separately of the midsole and received between two layers of the midsole to reduce non-uniform midsole degradation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for preventing injuries resulting from overloading the plantar surface of an individual during an intense physical activity such as locomotion, jumping or the like. More specifically, the invention relates to a biofeedback interface to be interposed between the plantar surface and the ground surface. The biofeedback interface functions to substantially enhance the specific unpleasant sensations perceived by the individual during heavy plantar surface loading (locomotion and jumping) which are required to produce an enhanced protective behavioral response; the behavior avoids the unpleasant sensation, which in turn, decreases the loading with a reduction in the risk of physical injury.

Abstract: A shoe sole including an outer sole of substantially uniform thickness and a midsole. The midsole has peripheral portions that are relatively thick compared to its central portion which is relatively thin. The lower surface of the midsole is preferably configured as a concavity. The outer sole has a top surface which is connected to the concave lower surface of the midsole to define, along with the midsole, a general lateral concavity for the shoe. The lower surface of the outer sole includes tread members. The outermost tread members, outer sole and midsole cooperate to support the relatively thin central portion of the midsole in a cantilever fashion. Upon ground impact, the lower extremities of the tread members are urged resiliently upwardly and outwardly, and the relatively thin central portion flexes downwardly to provide cushioning for the foot of the wearer.

Abstract: An athletic shoe having a shock-absorbing running sole which has at least one intermediate support extending at least approximately in parallel with a major plane of the running sole. The intermediate openwork support is disposed in a softly elastic midsole provided between an insole and a running sole. For obtaining a targeted reduction of shock stresses occurring to a varying degree in the individual sole sections, plugs are inserted into the openwork support. The plugs are made of a material that is harder than that of the midsole and are disposed vertically with respect to the noted major plane thereof, at least in the sections that are highly or maximally stressed during the running and possibly also in the adjacent zones.

Abstract: An athletic shoe wherein outward expansion of one or more portions of the shoe's foamed, closed cell polymeric midsole is constrained to increase the amount of energy absorbed by the midsole under a wearer-applied load. Various embodiments of this invention provide for the precompression of the constrained midsole portion to further enhance the midsole's energy-absorbing capability.

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: 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: 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 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: An athletic shoe includes an outsole assembly and a shoe upper whose quarter sections extend above the ankles. A cut out area extends over one ankle, around the heel and over the ankle within the quarter sections, and a collar closes the cut out area. The collar includes a high density foam lamina to support and protect the ankles, and, because of its pliability, potential pressure points exerted on the foot with accompanying irritation are substantially eliminated.

Abstract: An outer sole for an athletic shoe is disclosed. The outer sole includes a base formed of a relatively thin resilient material and having a heel section, an arch section, a forefoot section, a toe section, an upper major surface and a lower major surface. A plurality of discrete traction elements extend downward from the lower major surface of the base at spaced transverse and longitudinal locations, and include a plurality of discrete heel and arch traction elements located about longitudinally spaced locations in the perimeter of base in the heel and arch sections respectively. A rear shock attenuating area extends generally along the central longitudinal portion of the heel and arch sections. The rear shock attenuating area is substantially devoid of traction elements so that the relatively thin resilient material of the base in the rear shock attenuating area depresses downwardly during foot strike to attenuate the force of foot strike.

Abstract: An athletic shoe is disclosed. The athletic shoe includes an upper attached to a sole. The upper has a forepart section comprised of an inner layer and an outer layer. The inner layer is preferably formed of relatively thin stretchable leather and the outer layer is formed of a breathable nonstretchable material, such as nylon mesh. A slight gap is formed between the outer surface of the inner layer and the inner surface of the outer layer to allow the inner layer to stretch a limited degree in order to mold to the forepart portion of the foot of the wearer of the shoe.

Abstract: An athletic shoe, especially a jogging shoe, consisting of a tread sole made of rubber or a rubber-like synthetic resin, which sole is provided at least partially with cleat-like projections distributed over the tread surface and provided at the rim of the sole with additional cleat-like projections subdivided in the manner of a link chain. To create a fully elastic athletic shoe for jogging or other training purposes, wherein the cleat-like projections are to have a relatively low height in order to save weight, wherein yet a satisfactory gripping effect is to be ensured even under unfavorable ground conditions, the cleat-like projections are fashioned, on their sides which come into contact with the ground, with blade-like projections extending essentially in parallel to one another, which increase the shock-absorbing effect and simultaneously enhance the gripping effect.

Abstract: An athletic shoe is provided with means for increasing lateral stability of the heel area to increase ankle stability and reduce the possibility of ankle fatigue due to misalignment of the ankle joint and the possibility of promotion or supination injury. The heel peripheral area of a midsole or heel lift portion is made of a harder material than the heel central area, and extensions of the outsole are provided at the sides of the heel portion to interconnect the outsole and a heel counter member to stabilize the heel counter, without inhibiting heel cushioning, and may be glued to a covering of the heel counter, and to the peripheral edges of the midsole and heel lift portions.