Abstract: A self aligning sole for use in shoes, especially sports shoes of welted construction. The outer sole has a shaped raised portion. The mid-sole has a cutout with a shape complementary to the raised portion shape. During assembly of the shoe, the outer sole raised portion registers with the mid-sole cutout, thereby aligning the outer sole with the mid-sole.

Abstract: A shoe structure which includes at least part of a shoe and consists of: an upper, a first insole, a second insole and an outsole. The upper includes at least one outer layer and lining. The lining lines the inside of the outer layer and includes a waterproof and water-vapour permeable functional layer. The first insole closes the underside of the inner area of the shoe structure. The second insole and the outsole are bonded whereby the lining extends further downwards than the outer layer by the length of a lower end area. The lower end area of the lining is turned back to the inside and positioned against the second insole. The second insole has an outer edge around its periphery. The outer edge has a contour corresponding to the contour of the outer layer and joined to the lower end area of the outer layer. The shoe structure includes a second insole cut out to form an outer edge around its periphery and an inner edge around its periphery thus forming a strip between the outer edge and the inner edge.

Abstract: A shoe or boot manufactured with the Goodyear welt system and a method for manufacturing same which increases the comfort and flexibility of such shoe or boot to levels which were previously unattainable in a shoe or boot manufactured according to the Goodyear welt system. The shoe or boot comprises a rigid innersole board which is pre-cut to incorporate two detachable pieces at the two key impact areas, the heel and forepart, of the shoe or boot, and maintains its structural rigidity while the Goodyear welt stitch is being applied. Once the two detachable pieces of the innersole board are detached, two cushioning pads are attached to provide maximum cushioning and comfort for the user at the key impact areas.

Abstract: A cushioned insole (10) has an upper layer (12) and a lower layer (14). The layers have a toe area, a heel area, an upper surface and a lower surface. The insole has a cushion (28) disposed between the lower surface of the upper layer and the upper surface of the lower layer in the toe area of the layers. In the heel area of the layers, a tack board (30) is disposed between the upper and lower layers. A rib (40) is attached to the upper surface of the upper layer and to the lower layer by stitching, capturing the cushion therebetween and forming a peripheral margin exteriorly of the stitching. A lip (32) is formed from the upturned peripheral margin of the upper layer and is attached to the rib to add strength and reinforcement to the overall structure.

Abstract: A shoe or boot manufactured with the Goodyear welt system and a method for manufacturing same which increases the comfort and flexibility of such shoe or boot to levels which were previously unattainable in a shoe or boot manufactured according to the Goodyear welt system. The shoe or boot comprises a rigid innersole board which is pre-cut to incorporate two detachable pieces at the two key impact areas, the heel and forepart, of the shoe or boot, and maintains its structural rigidity while the Goodyear welt stitch is being applied. Once the two detachable pieces of the innersole board are detached, two cushioning pads are attached to provide maximum cushioning and comfort for the user at the key impact areas.

Abstract: A rubber footwear product and method of making such products is provided. The rubber footwear product includes a molded rubber midsole having an integrally formed raised rubber welt portion around its periphery. By molding in a compression mold, injection mold, or the like, the midsole and welt may be formed in a variety of designs and will be accurately formed in the desired size and shape. The molded midsole is made of substantially cured rubber, and is secured to an uncured rubber upper by applying an uncured rubber coating onto the midsole and then vulcanizing to form a unitary rubber footwear subassembly. To this subassembly may separately be secured a variety of compositionally different outsoles made of various materials, and having various colors, designs, and specific utilities. The outsole may be attached to the subassembly by vulcanization, by conventional shoemaking cementing processes using adhesive compositions, or by injection molding directly onto the molded midsole.

Abstract: Method for waterproofing a welted footwear construction. The footwear includes an insole rib joined to an insole. The method includes applying a sealant gel to the outer surface of the insole rib and attaching a welt and an upper to the rib by stitching with a needle. The needle carries the sealing gel into and through the needle holes formed thereby forming a water impermeable seal between the welt, the upper and the rib.

Abstract: A method for forming a composite sole to an upper of a shoe includes molding a blank midsole to an upper of a shoe while protecting the material of the upper from the heat involved in molding the midsole to the upper, and subsequently adhering an outsole having a desired traction surface to the blank midsole. The method requires less heat and less time than prior art vulcanization processes that form entire soles to footwear uppers, and also requires less equipment than prior art processes.

Abstract: An article of waterproof footwear and its method of manufacture are disclosed. The article of waterproof footwear has an upper containing a water-impermeable layer. The distal edge of the upper has a polymeric binding covering the distal edge and the inside and outside surfaces of the upper adjacent to the distal edge. The polymeric binding seals to a waterproof insole thereby effectively waterproofing the upper of the footwear. An outer sole is attached to the upper thereby forming the waterproof footwear.The method of manufacture allows production of a waterproof upper and the attachment to the upper of an outer sole, thereby forming the waterproof footwear of the invention.

Abstract: A shoe includes an outsole which has a flat tread portion and a peripheral member that extends upwardly from the periphery of the tread portion. The peripheral member has an upper section and a lower section. The tread portion and the lower section of the peripheral member cooperatively define a receptacle. A resilient cushioning wedge is adapted to be received in the receptacle and has an upper base member with a top side and a bottom side. The bottom side is integrally formed with a plurality of downwardly extending cushioning elements which have free ends glued to the tread portion. The base member has a periphery glued to the peripheral member. An insole is glued to the top side of the cushioning wedge. The shoe further includes a vamp which has a bottom end sewed to the insole and a bottom periphery sewed to the upper section of the peripheral member.

Abstract: An insole rib wherein the fabric encapsulating the rib is formed of a twill weave such that the rib will lie flat when adhered to the contour of an insole without puckering or crimping.

Abstract: A shoe having increased flexibility and ability to twist and bend in a variety of directions is disclosed. The shoe is constructed by an overlap slip last construction in which the last allowance of the upper of the shoe is stitched to the sole or mid-sole, not cemented to the sole. The presence of a full insole board and wrap in the forepart of the shoe as well as a conventional shank is eliminated.

Abstract: A lasting insole for a welted shoe. The lasting insole includes: a support layer; a rib for connecting an upper and a welt to the support layer; and connecting structure for connecting the rib to the support layer. The connecting structure is located between the rib and the support layer. Stress encountered during use of the welted shoe is shifted away from the connecting structure. Preferably, the stress is shifted by spaced apart grooves. The grooves are formed by projections which are pressed into the support layer. The projections also facilitate the formation of the rib.

Abstract: A shoe having a uniquely shaped platform along the rear peripheral edge of the insole, which is constructed of a rigid backpart material. By combining it with a construction of a specially molded outflange counter and using a sturdy stitched lasting construction fastening securely the outward flange of the counter with the specially lasted molded leather upper together with the outward extension of the specially shaped insole platform, a stable support system is formed to control the lateral and longitudinal orientation of the foot when walking. The forepart of the shoe may be of moccasin. Strobel modified welt-type or other construction which provides varying degrees of flexbility.

Abstract: A waterproof shoe construction and its method of manufacture is disclosed. The shoe has a liner which is impervious to liquid water but pervious to water vapor, a first innersole and a second innersole with a rib. There is a film impervious to liquid water but pervious to water vapor cemented between the first and second innersoles. A horizontal stitch connects the shoe side panels and the rib of the second innersole between the walls of a channel-shaped welt top, which welt bottom is cemented to the top of an outersole. The method of manufacture is a special blend of stitch down and cement construction techniques which allows for a comfortable, waterproof shoe at a lower manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A temperature-proof shoe formed by adhering a hollowed shape forming guide plate, which is circumferentially larger than an insole board that is the same size as the bottom surface of a form block, to the underside of a closed cell polyurethane foam layer at the sole portion of a shoe, and tucking in a leather facing in a manner to wrap up the forming guide plate with it. Also, by a roll-in outstitching applied to the leather facing and the outer circumference of the forming guide plate protruding to the outside from the leather facing of the instep portion, the temperature-proof shoes are free from the intrusion of water, satisfactory in heat-retaining property and excellent in design.

Abstract: An improved sports shoe having a cavity throughout the outer sole which is secured to the shoe body. The outer sole has a maximum thickness at its heel, which thickness is gradually reduced as it reaches the plantar region of the shoe. A network of spaced ribs integral with the outer sole is located between the heel portion and the plantar region of the shoe and defines a bearing surface for a microporous of microcellular resilient cushion material of a thickness greater than 7 mm which is placed on such surface. A second series of ribs, also integral with the outer sole and having a height greater than the ribs of the network, is located at the shank area of the shoe to also form a bearing surface for the microporous cushion material and to support the arch of the wearer's foot.

Abstract: A welt is disclosed for shoes having outer soles formed by means of a foaming process. The welt includes a substantially horizontal outsole attaching member having a bottom surface for joining to a shoe outsole. An inseam portion is provided integral with the outsole attaching member along an inner end of the outsole attaching member. A stitch receiving groove is defined by opposing surfaces of the inseam attaching portion and the bottom surface of the outsole attaching member. A hook portion is integral with the outsole attaching member and extends vertically downwardly from the bottom surface along the inner end with the hook portion defining a foam receiving groove beneath the bottom surface.

Abstract: A unit sole construction, including a sole body of molded, rubbery material, and a welt extending along the body, the welt having an exposed upper wall portion, and a tongue portion extending from the wall portion into the body, the tongue being embedded in the body to secure the welt to the body.

Abstract: A shoe construction including a pre-formed unitary sole member made from a flexible, resilient material and including a concave top face pre-shaped to fit the bottom of the wearer's foot. The outer marginal portion of the bottom face of the sole member is recessed to form a stitching land for securing the sole member directly to the forepart lower marginal portion of the shoe upper. A soft, resilient sole filler member may be secured to the top face of the sole member, with the rear portion of the sole filler member being secured to the front portion of the shank tuck.

Abstract: A shoe construction in which a forepart insole ring member is secured between the forepart portion of the upper and the forepart portion of the outsole. The rear portion of the ring member extends transversely of the shoe in the ball area. A resilient pad or raised portion of the forepart of the outsole projects through the hole formed by the inner edge of the ring member.