Abstract: A boot and a process for assembling the boot, the boot including a flexible upper and a rigid sole. The process includes the assembling of the flexible upper and the rigid sole with the use of an intermediate portion, the intermediate portion obtained by shaping a flexible material. At least two steps of the process includes at least the following: covering a portion of the sole with the intermediate portion to form a junction surface and applying a pressure on the outside of the boot to tighten the intermediate portion against the sole at the level of the junction surface.

Abstract: A composite shoe bottom is disclosed comprising a lower layer of firm material and an upper softer layer superposed thereon. Each layer has an upper contoured surface such that the total compressibility of the shoe bottom, as determined by the relative thicknesses of the layers, is predetermined and differs along the surface. The upper layer has an uppermost surface which is shaped to fit against and be complemental to the bottom of the foot of a wearer.

Abstract: A shoe of California construction having an upper with a sock liner, an outsole, and a midsole between the sock liner and the outsole. The midsole comprises a molded polyurethane element having a lower surface of a contour complementary to the contour of the upper surface of the outsole and having an upper surface of a contour complementary to the shape of the bottom of a wearer's foot. A fiberboard backing sheet is bonded to the lower surface of the midsole. A leather wrap extends between the upper and the outsole and surrounds the side wall, the midsole, following the contoured shape of the midsole side wall.

Abstract: An insole is provided for a shoe, particularly for a welted shoe which insole is composed of at least three longitudinally arranged sections, adjacent sections being connected at transverse lines of flexure to impart a degree of flexibility to the insole. Preferably the transverse lines of flexure are produced by sewing together three separate sections forming respectively a toe section a center section and a waist section of alternate methods of producing transverse lines of flexure are suggested. The invention also provides a welted shoe incorporating such an insole, said shoe according to a preferred embodiment being provided with such an insole having a projecting rib to which the shoe upper a lining for the shoe upper (if present) and a welt are affixed, in which shoe, before application of the sole of the shoe, the rib and that portion of the upper adjacent the rib are deformed inwardly so as to lie adjacent to the lower surface of the insole.

Abstract: A shoe sole structure in which a metallic stiffener member having generally the form of an elongated plate is encapsulated within a solid body of elastomeric material. The elastomeric material provides a ground-engaging surface underneath the stiffener member, a foot-supporting surface above the stiffener member, and also provides a toe-supporting portion which extends forwardly of the stiffener member and is free to flex vertically as needed.