Abstract: A dancer's shoe, slipper or the like having a stiff sole comprised of split front and rear soles separated at the arch. To enable the dancer to stand on pointe, the front sole is "cup" shaped with a generally "C" shaped cross-section. The upstanding wall of the front sole is attached to the sides and may extend up the front of the shoe box. This enables the front sole to bend upward around an axis across the foot when the foot bends but prevents the front sole from bending downward around such an axis which enables the dancer to stand on pointe on the tip of the shoe. The wall may be notched to facilitate bending at a particular location. There may be a rear sole spaced from the front sole behind the arch. To stiffen the shoe body, a toe box is provided in the front portion of the shoe upper.

Abstract: A static dissipative shoe which is provided utilizes a polymer material embedded therein, so that the handling, shipping and storage of integrated circuits are protected from electrostatic discharge. A conductive plug in communication with the outsole and static interceptor fabricated from a non volatile material having a conductivity of less that about 10.sup.5 ohms and which is located in the toe region of the outsole, provides a conductive path to the static interceptor layer. The footwear includes a toe and heel region, a conductive layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface of the conductive layer arranged proximate the upper surface of the outsole and upper surface of the conductive plugs for providing a continuous path from the outside of the footwear to the static interceptor means.

Abstract: A durable, lightweight shock absorbing shoe sole having an upper sole and a bottom sole attached to the bottom of the upper sole and including a plurality of inverted cups within the bottom sole and penetrating into the upper sole. At least one of the inverted cups being of a preselected configuration and located directly beneath and pointed convexly toward a natural contact point of the human foot for absorbing and dispersing shock generated at the natural contact point during a footstep. The cup is also angularly displaced with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sole a preselected number of degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis. In addition, a reinforcing system is incoporated within the shoe sole and works in cooperative relationship with the inverted cups for increasing the structural integrity of the shoe sole.

Abstract: A sculptured sole for athletic footwear includes a base having a plurality of forward support pads which underlie the toes of a wearer's foot and a plurality of rearward support lands which underlie the metatarsals in the ball area of the wearer's foot, a layer of flexible resilient elastic material attached on either of the opposite top or bottom sides of the base and aligned with the forward support pads and rearward support lands, and a plurality of plates and caps which are attached to the layer of elastic material and aligned with the respective support pads and support lands.

Abstract: A shoe including an upper and a sole portion and defining a foot support surface interior of the shoe and an engagement surface exterior of the shoe, the foot support surface being shaped to align the hindfoot in varus with respect to the tibia axis.

Abstract: A highly flexible item of sports footwear in which the bottom of the toe portion of the upper and the toe portion of the sole member define a free space in the form of a wedge-shaped gap which is sealed by a bellows extending around the periphery of the toe portion of the upper. The toe portion of the sole member has a unidirectional articulation enabling displacement of the toe portion of the sole member upwardly out of coplanarity with the plantar articulation portion of the sole member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of composite material formed from a vulcanized elastomer, containing carboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid anhydride groups, in combination with a thermoplastic elastomer containing polyamide blocks, which comprises vulcanizing an elastomer composition comprising said vulcanizable elastomer, a crosslinking system and, optionally, diverse adjuvants in a mold, one part of which is occupied by said thermoplastic elastomer containing polyamide blocks, the vulcanization temperature being between -15.degree. C. and +5.degree. C. with respect to the Vicat point of said thermoplastic elastomer containing polyamide blocks, the elastomer composition and the vulcanization kinetics being such that the material shows cohesive failure when subjected to stress for separation of the two elastomers.This process leads to composite materials which have excellent properties, in particular in respect of tensile strength (cohesive failure).

Abstract: An insulating sole cover including an upper portion that has a top panel with a flat portion and a heel portion with an arc portion therebetween. The top panel has an outer rim with a top side wall extending upward therefrom. Also included is a bottom portion that has a bottom panel that is rigid along a bottom surface. The bottom panel has a bottom rim with a bottom side wall that extends upward therefrom. The bottom side wall is capable of being sealed to the top rim of the top side wall to form an interior area therebetween. Included are a plurality of cells. The cells are formed within the bottom portion and are proportionately dispersed within the interior area of the top panel and the bottom panel. Each cell has a filler contained therein to provide insulation from cold. Lastly, a plurality of openings are positioned within within the spacing between each cell. The openings are capable of decreasing the compaction coefficient of the filler within the interior area.

Abstract: A unique shoe is provided to improve a walker's power, posture and speed, such shoe combining the advantages of a forwardly-inclined heel with the advantages of an arcuately tapered toe. The shoe includes an upper which carries the wearer's foot, and a sole which supports the foot from below. The sole is formed with two portions, a generally wedge-shaped rear portion which extends from an area beneath the wearer's heel to an area beneath the ball of the wearer's foot, and an arcuate forward portion which extends forwardly from the area beneath the ball of the wearer's foot to the forward terminus of the shoe. The rear portion increases linearly in thickness in the forward direction, the sole's overall thickness being correspondingly increased. The forward portion is of forwardly decreasing thickness, the sole tapering arcuately to forward termination of the shoe.

Abstract: Footware is made such that a thickness of a heel region from a sole upper surface to the ground is thinner at a backward portion than at a forward portion, whereby a line connecting a position on a lower surface of the sole under the head of the second metatarsus to a front end on a lower surface of the heel region of the sole is lifted at an angle with a horizontal line connecting a grounded rear, and on the lower surface of the heel region to a front end thereof in a state where a weight is loaded-to the human heel, and the backward portion of the heel region comprises an impact absorbing mechanism, whereby a level of the human heel which is in contact with a foot is depressed when loaded. Thus, the footwear protects a knee joint of a patient suffering from the osteoarthritis of the knee and enables them to easily walk.

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 sole and viscoelastic sole insert for footwear having an insert filled with an alternating configuration of gel and gas filled cells is provided. The impact response can be varied by altering the ratio of gas-filled to gel-filled cells or by altering the pressure under which the cells and/or pellets are filled with gas or gel. In similar fashion, an insert incorporating one or more springs may provide a number of impact responses by varying the number of springs and/or the spring design parameters. Advantageously, the inserts can be adapted to be readily removable from the sole so that the wearer can change the insert to provide a "universal" shoe ideally suited for a variety of applications and wearer preferences.

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 invention relates to a forefoot relief shoe (10) possessing a sole portion (11) that is substantially triangular in a side view or in a vertical longitudinal section having a thickness which decreases in the rearward direction and which terminates anteriorly before the the metatarsal region of the wearer. In order to increase the service life and to enhance the wearing comfort it is provided that the sole portion (11) is constructed in the form of a hollow section fitted with substantially vertical supports for connecting the base constructed so as to cover the area to its full extent and the upper body (12) constructed so as to cover the area to its full extent and adjacent to the foot bed (13), in which case the supports, at least within the central area, in the longitudinal axial direction toward the base, possess an increasing diameter or an increasing horizontal cross-section (FIG.

Abstract: A shoe comprising a sole portion having peripheral edges and at least one cushioning element comprising a chamber having flexible walls filled with a liquid composition, wherein the chamber includes a plurality of partitions for directing flow of liquid from one portion of the chamber to another portion of the chamber. Preferably, at least one partition is a gating means responsive to a differential in liquid-pressure for enabling the flow of liquid to the chamber portion of lower liquid pressure. The cushioning element overlays the sole portion. A portion of the cushioning element extends to a peripheral edge to provide cushioning support to a foot of a wearer at the peripheral edge. Preferably the extending portion of the element has substantially transparent walls, whereby the liquid composition can be viewed.

Abstract: New application of biomechanical principles of elastic stretch and braking force are combined in an athletic shoe. The new design implements the concepts by placing the heel significantly lower than the ball of the foot and toes. Tests show that an inner sole reverse slope of about 31/2.degree. provides an optimum significant improvement in jumping in particular. The reverse slope is substantially flat from the center of pressure beneath the heel to the five centers of pressure beneath the ball of the foot. The flat slope provides more assurance that the weight of the user will be applied to the shoe through the centers of pressure in preference to locations under the arch. The invention is applicable to "explosive" movement sports such as basketball, track and field, volleyball, tennis and soccer. Preferably the shoes are constructed with formed or curved heels to retain the feet properly positioned in the shoes by preventing the feet from sliding too far back within the shoes.

Abstract: A shoe and polymeric shoe sole having a heel portion slanted upwardly at a small acute angle from the medial side to the lateral side relative to the horizontal support surface, a forefoot portion slanted upwardly at a small acute angle from the lateral side to the medial side relative to the support surface, and a diagonally crossing neutral zone in the midfoot portion. The heel portion has a central, resilient, compressible, calcaneal pad which is substantially unslanted, preferably with a downward, slightly convex configuration. The calcaneal pad protrudes downwardly below the slanted bottom surface at the lateral side of the heel portion and is recessed upwardly above the slanted bottom surface at the medial side of the heel portion. The metatarsal head pad extends downwardly below the slanted bottom surface at the medial side of the forefoot portion and is recessed above the slanted bottom surface at the lateral side of the forefoot portion.

Abstract: An outsole for an item of footwear. The outsole is provided with a lower surface having a central portion and a peripheral portion. Also provided is one or more resilient shock absorbing strike plates which extend from, and are disposed about, the peripheral portion to define a cavity disposed below the central or peripheral portions. Each strike plate has an inwardly sloped wall adjacent the cavity. This sloped wall is disposed at an obtuse angle to the cavity. Also provided is an elastic membrane extending through the cavity. The membrane has a stiffness less than that of one of the strike plates to which it is connected.

Abstract: The invention offers the three-color-side-wall rubber soles in easily changeable mode. It only referred to the integrated multicolor rubber soles which can be manufactured by a mould set with the changeability of color ring in various series. The invention may be directly applied to the streamline of soles to form shoe modes. The invention may be simply designed. In the meantime, it exprsses the unique characteristic properties.

Abstract: A shoe sole construction comprises a polyurethane outer sole having an electrical resistance of approximately 40 MOhms in a standard wet/dry test and an electrical resistance of approximately 20 MOhms in a standard wet/wet test in a test conducted according to British Standard 2050, and a rubber sole insert having an electrical resistance of approximately 1 MOhm positioned adjacent the outer sole. With this construction, static electricity in the sole insert is capable of discharging from the sole insert along a path of least resistance through the outer sole.

Abstract: A sole construction for use with a boating shoe or the like comprises an outsole having a multiplicity of wave-like incisions in a traction area. The incisions are each in the form of a flattened sine wave and extend generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the sole. A plurality of straight incisions intersect the wave-like incisions and extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sole. The sole may further include inner and outer traction areas in which a plurality of incisions intersect wave-like incisions extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shoe, with the straight incisions extending substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A high heel shoe designed such that the bottom of the foot of a wearer will contact the sole of the shoe along the same points that said foot would contact a smooth, level floor if standing with feet flat on said floor, providing the foot of a wearer with the same support surface in a high heel shoe that would be present in a flat shoe. The shoe sole structure hinges a forward sole section to a rigid rear sole section with a planar upper surface such that the straight hinge line passes below the lowest points of the first and fifth metatarsal heads of the foot of the wearer. The sole of the invention does not apply pressure in the sensitive arch area of the foot due to the planar nature of the upper surface of the rear sole section and it supports the ball and heel of the foot in the same manner as if the foot were standing on a flat surface. The rigid coupling between the forward and rear sole sections permits balancing forces from the toes to immediately counteract instability in the heel area.

Abstract: A thermoformable thermoplastic composite material has a core sufficiently thick to provide for a shaping of the composite material at an elevated temperature to any desired configuration. Layers of a fabric material disposed on opposite sides of the core may be formed of glass, carbon or aramid and from woven fibers, unidirectional or chopped fibers or random strand mats. The fabric layers are sufficiently thick to impart strength and rigidity to the composite material. Layers of a thermoplastic thermoformable resin material may be disposed on the fabric layers. The thermoplastic layers impregnate the fabric layers, bond the fabric layers to the core and provide a smooth external surface to the composite material. The core is preferably thinner than the combined thicknesses of the fabric layers and the thermoplastic layers. For example, the thickness of each fabric layer may be 0.008"-0.009", of each thermoplastic layer may be 0.0005"-0.002" and of the thermoplastic composite material may be 0.035"-0.060".

Abstract: A sole having an articulated forefoot includes a flex joint extending generally longitudinally between the hallux and the second toe and at least one additional flex joint extending transversely across the sole. The flex joints can intersect with each other to form substantially separated sections in the sole by for facilitating relatively independent movement of selected toes.

Abstract: A shoe sole insert has foam-filled independently compressible regions that extend through a midsole and beyond an outsole bottom surface so a particular region, when it strikes a traversed surface, is compressed vertically and expands horizontally against the midsole. In one embodiment, five groups of such regions are beneath the metatarsal bones and proximal phalanges. In a second embodiment, two transversely extending regions are beneath forward and rearward portions of the metatarsals. The rearward transverse region has a ridge that is farther from the outsole bottom face than a ridge of the forward transverse region. In another aspect, an array of regions below the tarsal and calcaneus bones is arranged so a region at the very rear of the heel compresses vertically to a greater extent than a lateral side region in response to the same striking force, so pronation tends to be corrected.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an intermediate layer for a shoe sole consisting of a hollow shell having convolutions disposed along the periphery thereof. The convolutions are adapted to cushion the foot by compressing when force is applied thereto, and expanding to their original configuration when the force is relieved. An inner filler material may be provided within the shell for added cushioning and resilience.

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 shoe formed by an upper and a flat sole of a type having an air chamber made up of compartments, capable of being inflated by means of valves, the flat sole of which is provided with a raised perimetral edge. The sole receives the air chamber and is connected with a rigid countersole and upper by means of stitching, gluing or the like, there being also included in such flat sole a rigid layer. This combination provides a flexible cavity capable of allowing flat and parallel movement of the arch support of the shoe in relation to the outer sole.

Abstract: A sole member for an article of footwear, comprises a sheet of resilient material displaying cushioning and memory properties. The sheet has a generally longitudinal cavity with outwardly flared sidewalls that deflect horizontally in the presence of a downward force. The cavity is wider in the heel region and curves outwardly toward the lateral forefoot to create a path of least resistance that causes the center of mass of the human body to migrate laterally and thereby reduce predisposition to excessive pronation.

Abstract: An article of footwear, for example, an athletic shoe designed for walking, running, or other sports activities. The article of footwear is provided with an upper, an outsole, and a midsole positioned between the outsole and the upper. The midsole has an upper surface upon which a sole of a foot is positioned during use of the article. The midsole is provided with an external cushioning spring. This spring includes one or more angled strips of resilient elastic material. One end of a strip is fixed on the surface of the midsole or outsole at a location at least 3 mm below the upper surface of the midsole. The other end of the strip is fixed on the surface of the midsole or upper at least 3 mm vertically above the location at which the other end is fixed.

Abstract: A pair of improved golf shoes has an inner flange extending longitudinally along the inner side of the shoes and an outer flange extending longitudinally along the outer side of the shoes. The inner flanges and the outer flanges extend outwardly beyond the exterior surfaces of the uppers of the shoes. On one of the improved shoes the outer flange extends outwardly farther than the inner flange. On the other shoe, the inner and outer flanges extend substantially the same distance beyond the exterior surface of the upper. Heels having outwardly extending flanges are provided. One of the heels extends outwardly over substantially its entire outer edge. The flange of the other heel extends outwardly beyond the upper for only a portion of its inner edge and is flush with the upper for the remaining portion of its outer edge. A portion of the shoe disposed below the ball of the foot of the user is thicker than the region disposed below the heel of the user in order to balance the user.

Abstract: A non-cellular polyurethane composite material comprising desiccated rubber particles embedded in a non-cellular matrix of polyurethane. Rubber particles derived from tires and other sources are combined with a desiccant to remove moisture present in the particles. The resulting desiccated rubber particles and desiccant are mixed with a polyol and isocyanate to form a precursor blend which is cured to produce a non-cellular polyurethane composite. The resulting rubber-polyurethane composite may be used for tires, shoe and boot soles, surface coatings, and other applications requiring a material which is structurally strong and wear resistant. The desiccated rubber particles may be premixed with the polyol and/or added simultaneously with the polyol and isocyanate during composite molding.

Abstract: A safety shoe is arranged to have a shoe sole coextensive with a shoe upper extending upwardly of the shoe sole. The shoe sole includes at least one metallic fabric mesh web projected substantially coextensive through the shoe sole to minimize puncturing and projecting of the shoe sole to afford protection to an individual's foot within the associated shoe. A modification of the invention includes webs of intersecting construction having intersecting semi-elliptical sections intersecting at loops with adjacent webs of adjacent loops intersecting with flexible rods directed through the intersecting loops to minimize lateral displacement of adjacent fabric webs.

Abstract: An athletic shoe to provide a safe orientation of the foot during an immediate stop in the medial lateral direction and to preclude hyperinversion of the foot in the subtalar joint is shown. The shoe sole has an upper sole member and a lower sole member which are elastically connected by a resilient member along the lateral and medial edges of the shoe. The upper and lower sole members are each wedge-shaped and disposed in opposite orientation in sliding engagement along confronting concave-convex surfaces having corresponding curvatures. The upper and lower sole members may include medial to lateral extending ribs. A lubricant may be provided between the confronting surfaces and the ribs.

Abstract: A walking shoe and walking shoe sole with the sole heel portion and forefoot portion having integral resilient flexible compression protrusions having maximum extension at the rear edge of the protrusion, curving upwardly forwardly therefrom, and bounded by a groove that extends along both side edges and across the rear vertically offset edge of the protrusion, the groove increasing in depth toward the rear of the protrusion. The rear of at least the forefoot protrusion is undercut. The upper surface of the sole has at least one transverse cavity just forwardly of the rear edge of the protrusion.

Abstract: An athletic shoe for use on a relatively hard playing surface has an outer ground sole with grooves therein that define ribs between adjacent grooves, particularly in the toe and ball areas of the sole, is characterized in that the grooves are generally arranged in concentric curves with reference to the center of the toe and ball area and the grooves define similarly arranged concentric ribs between adjacent grooves, each groove being defined by two evenly spaced walls into the surface of the sole, the outer wall and the inner wall, the outer wall being substantially perpendicular to the sole surface and the inner wall being tapered from the sole surface toward the outer wall to the bottom of the groove. Thus, each rib has an inner side substantially perpendicular to the sole surface and an outer side that tapers from the sole surface toward the outer perimeter of the sole.

Abstract: An athletic shoe has an air pressurizable inner sole received in a compartment between the sole and the upper so as to be free to move therein except for the location at which the valve formation of the inner sole passes through the wall of this compartment.

Abstract: A new and improved connector is provided for footwear and associated specific footwear step-on devices and surfaces. The invention utilizes complementing members of a type of separable, coacting, flexible gripping means, such as hook and loop "Velcro" type or knob-knob type or other similar flexible type fastening members. These members are arranged to form an integral firmly attached part of the invention specific sole of footwear worn by individuals and associated interfacing invention tailored step-on device surfaces and permit proper positioning mating and omnidirectional on-demand break-away disengagement between footwear sole and interfacing step-on device surfaces.

Abstract: A hunter's shoe for concealing the presence of a hunter by absorbing airborne noises caused by the contact of the shoes with ground objects such as fallen branches, twigs and leaves. In the first aspect of the invention, a detachable sound absorber is combined with a conventional hunter's shoe. The sound absorber is comprised of a heel absorber, a sole absorber joined to the heel absorber, a flexible heel pad joined to the lower surface of the heel absorber and extending around the perimeter of the heel absorber, a flexible sole pad joined to the lower surface of the sole absorber and extending around the perimeter of the sole absorber; an ankle strap attached to the heel absorber and a toe strap attached to the sole absorber. The heel and sound absorber is comprised of rigid housings joined together by a flexible member and filled with a sound absorbing material. In the second aspect of the invention, a sound absorber is made integral with a hunter's shoe.

Abstract: An outsole for sports shoes comprising a carrier element (1) of relatively hard material and relatively soft sole portions (2, 3) which are secured to the carrier element on the outward side thereof. The carrier element (1) comprises a sole plate (11) which is stiffened by stiffening wells which are disposed approximately perpendicular to the surface of the plate and which substantially follow the contour of the edge of the sole. To provide for deformability of the carrier element (1), in the shank region (4) the height of the stiffening walls (13, 14) is at least locally markedly lower than in the heel region of the sole plate (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A shoe sole (1) manufactured of one or more pieces of a resilient material, such as plastics, natural or synthetic rubber, including a recess extending from below the heel and forward to the forefoot. The recess only allows the longitudinal circumferential rims of the shoe sole to come into contact with the walking surface when the user of the shoe is standing on said walking surface. A shock-absorbing projection (2) is provided in the recess opposite the heel bone of the foot, said projection not coming into contact with the walking surface at a low pressure load. At a high pressure load, such as when the user is walking or running, the shock-absorbing projection (2) comes into contact with the walking surface. In this manner the shocks usually affecting the heel of the shoe are moved to the heel bone as well as absorbed in the best possible manner. When the user is standing still the resilience is achieved by the circumferential rim of the shoe sole absorbing all the pressure in the heel area.

Abstract: An article of footwear, for example, an athletic shoe designed for walking, running, or other sports activities. The article of footwear is provided with an upper, an outsole, and a midsole positioned between the outsole and the upper. The midsole has an upper surface upon which a sole of a foot is positioned during use of the article. The term "midsole" is meant to include any cushioning or other device placed within the footwear upon which a foot is positioned during use of the article. The midsole is also provided with an external cushioning spring. This spring includes an angled strip of resilient elastic material. One end of the strip is fixed on the surface of the midsole or outsole at a location at least 3 mm below the upper surface of the midsole. The other end of the strip is fixed on the surface of the midsole at least 3 mm vertically above the location at which the one end is fixed.

Abstract: An athletic shoe comprises an upper member and a sole member. The sole member is characterized in having a substantially flat bottom surface, a lateral channel in the sole's bottom surface at the metatarsal area of the user's foot, and a set of inwardly concave longitudinally extending channels in the sole's bottom surface. A plurality of vertically extending grooves in the sole member's side walls are provided in a preferred embodiment. The structural features in the sole member impart a mechanical advantage to the user of the athletic shoe while not impairing the comfort of the shoe.

Abstract: The sole structure comprises a lower part with a tread, preferably made of rubber or other synthetic material, and having holes formed therein which traverse its thickness. The lower part is covered by a membrane made of microporous, waterproof material which permits transpiration. The structure is completed by an upper part adapted for having a foot rested thereon and being made of rubber or other synthetic material. Holes which traverse the thickness of the upper part are provided at the portion thereof affected by the membrane.

Abstract: A unitary multilayer sole construction for an athletic shoe in which a stiffening board member is provided between the outsole and the mid-sole of the shoe. The stiffening board member is placed in the rear foot portion of the shoe and immediately adjacent the inner surface of the outsole.

Abstract: A walking sole for a sport shoe, and especially a golf shoe, comprising a main element made of a relatively rigid molded plastic material, having, in the front portion of at least one of its lateral edges (1a) extending along the front area of the sole on which the front part of the wearer's foot gains support, a succession of notches (2). This shoe has, associated with at least one of these notches (2), at least one opening (6) elongated substantially transversely and in alignment with this notch (2) in the lateral edge (1a) and at a distance from it, and an element made of an elastic material (8) which fills the elongated opening (6).

Abstract: A system for better determining the fit of shoes, particularly children's shoes, is described wherein transparent areas are provided in the shoe bottom along with fitting indices to enable comparison of the outline of a foot in the shoe to the fitting indices. The shoe may also be provided with optional audio-visual warning means to signal when the shoe is about to be outgrown.

Abstract: A high-heeled shoe, and method for making the same, the shoe being characterized by providing a substantially flat supporting area for a wearer's foot while appearing to support the foot at an angle. The shoe comprises a sole portion forming a supporting area for a wearer's foot, a heel joined with the sole portion extending perpendicularly downward at least an inch from the sole portion, and securing means for selectively securing the sole portion to a wearer's foot. A forefoot area of the sole portion is elevated to a level substantially horizontal with the heel area whereby the supporting area is generally flat. To make such a high-heeled shoe, a conventional last is altered to add bulk to a heel portion of the last whereby a negative cast of a sole will have a sunken heel. A structural sole portion in then cast. An upper midsole layer and a lower midsole layer are formed, and the upper midsole layer is attached to the structural sole portion.

Abstract: An outsole for an item of footwear. The outsole is provided with a lower surface having a central portion and a peripheral portion. Also provided are a plurality of resilient shock absorbing strike plates which extend from, and are disposed about, the peripheral portion to define a central cavity disposed below the central portion. Each strike plate has an inwardly sloped wall adjacent the central concavity. This sloped wall is disposed at an obtuse angle to the central portion. Also provided is an elastic membrane connecting a plurality of the strike plates and extending through the central concavity. The membrane has a stiffness less than that of one of the strike plates to which it is connected.

Abstract: A construction for a shoe, particularly an athletic shoe such as a running shoe, includes a sole having a load-bearing sole portion and a contoured edge stability portion. The edge portion of the sole is contoured and defined by an arc of a circle having a radius equal to the thickness of the sole portion of the sole and its center at a point lying on the plane of the upper surface of the sole thickness. However, the contour varies as the thickness of the 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 in an inverted and everted mode.