Abstract: A footwear sole assembly for providing air circulation around the foot and also providing improved resilient cushioning. The assembly includes an outsole and an insert suspended above the outsole in trampoline-like fashion to define an air chamber therebetween. As the wearer strides, the insert moves toward the outsole compressing the air contained in the air chamber and causing that air to flow onto the foot through the apertures in the insert. Preferably, the outsole defines a plurality of upwardly opening pockets; and the insert includes a plurality of downwardly extending pins aligned with the pockets. The flexing action of the insert also drives the pins down into the pockets where they are deformed to absorb the impact of the stride.

Abstract: A shoe sole construction includes an aperture provided through the shoe sole and a composite support plate covering over the aperture. The support plate in turn is covered over by a pad having a peripheral dimension larger than the support plate. The pad cushions the support plate so that its presence in the shoe sole is not detected by the shoe wearer's foot.

Abstract: Waterproof and transpiring sole for footgear including a tread made of leather or similar material which is at least partially covered, in an upward region, by a membrane made of vapor-permeable and waterproof material. The tread is assembled, at least along its perimeter, together with at least one upper part made of rubber or equivalent material which has a central opening in the region affected by the membrane.

Abstract: A footwear system for providing enhanced protection and comfort to the foot of a wearer by reducing impact and shearing forces normally received by the foot. The footwear system has a knit sock and a shoe. The knit sock overlies and contacts the shoe and includes a ball portion, a heel portion, and an arch portion disposed between the ball and heel portions. Each of the ball and heel portions is formed of thicker knit fabric than the arch portion thereby providing a greater amount of protection and cushioning to the ball and heel of the foot of the wearer than to the arch portion. The shoe includes a sole having a ball portion, a heel portion, and a raised arch portion for contacting and interfacing with the respective overlying portions of the sock.

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: The present invention provides a composite shoe bottom that has a lower shaped support layer with a lower surface and an increased height around the periphery of the heel area and an irregular contoured upper stabilizing surface for the wearer's foot; a shoe upper superimposed upon the upper surface of the lower layer; an upper cushioning layer of a material that is softer than the lower layer, the upper layer having a varying thickness which is pre-shaped to a contour complementary to the bottom surface of the wearer's foot and having an increased height around the periphery of the heel area and in the arch area to form a raised arch support and to provide an irregular contoured upper stabilizing surface for the wearer's foot; and means for forming an outsole secured to at least a portion of the lower surface of the lower support layer and comprising at least one strip of a wear resistant material which is positioned upon the lower layer in an area which will experience abrasion or shock.

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 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: An innersole for use in a shoe or the like and generally having a shoe-shape said innersole comprising a first region having a first hardness, said first region designed to underlie the periphery of the rearfoot, the centroid region of the foot and the periphery of the forefoot, and, a second region having a second hardness, said second region designed to underlie the calcaneal region and the metatarsal or transverse arch, wherein the first region is about 5 to about 15 Shore A durometer harder than the second region. The first region is preferably a second layer and the second region is preferably a first layer. The first layer is generally shoe-shaped and has a first hardness.

Abstract: This cushioned shoe construction has an insert above the outer sole. The insert has transverse ridges tapered downwardly to reduced width, and angled toward the arched area of the shoe. The outsole is a relatively hard material selected for wear resistance, and has a translucent area to render the ribs visible. The insert is of a more resilient material.

Abstract: An insert for a shoe sole includes a heel lever which absorbs energy from the foot during heel strike and returns the energy to the foot during heel lift-off.

Abstract: A shoe sole comprises an outsole having a recess formed in the upper surface and an insert formed of resilient material that fits in the recess. The insert has a plurality of longitudinally spaced, downwardly extending transverse ribs extending across the underside of the insert. The ribs are formed of at least two lengths, with longer ribs alternating with shorter ribs in a regular pattern along the longitudinal length of the insert. The ribs are formed in a wavy sinusoidal pattern across the width of the shoe and the individual ribs are formed in sinusoidal vertical patterns, so that each individual rib has downwardly extending portions of different lengths that repeat in a pattern across the width of the shoe. The varying lengths of the ribs provide a first cushioning rate for initial compression of the insert, while the shorter portion of the ribs provide a graduated increase in spring resistance upon further compression of the ribs.

Abstract: An integral sole for a shoe includes a base plate, a stabilizing plate, and a heel member. The base plate is made of a cushioning material and includes a lower surface having a footprint embossing which engages a walking surface providing traction and comfort for the user. The stabilizing plate is horizontally located about and surrounding the footprint embossing and is made of a material which is harder than the material of the base plate. The stabilizing plate also engages the walking surface and includes a bridge portion extending outwardly from a toe and ball portion of the footprint embossing to provide lateral stability for the sole. The heel member is located peripherally about a heel portion of the stabilizing plate. The heel member is made of a material which is harder than the material of the stabilizing plate to provide a firm heel stability for the shoe. Preferably, the toe portion of the footprint embossing includes five separate toe-print areas.

Abstract: A layered cushioning system for a shoe sole for women's pumps is characterized by a flexible polyurethane outsole containing a recess in the upper forepart thereof within which is molded a shock-absorbing foam insert. A rigid insole tuck having a steel shank and a contoured configuration is mounted on the outsole and extends from the heel to the arch. A shock-absorbing heel pad is connected with the upper surface of the tuck in the heel area. Mounted on the insole tuck is a socklining including a lower shock-absorbing foam layer and a urethane coated cover. A further shock absorbing foam insole is provided for the forepart area. The sole thus has superior cushioning, flexibility in the forepart region and stability in the rear.

Abstract: A suspension system for shoe soles includes an insole mounted on the upper surface of an outsole and containing shock absorbing inserts in forepart and heel areas thereof. The forepart insole insert comprises a shock foam and the heel insole insert comprises polyurethane. Above the forepart area of the insole is provided a midsole containing a polyurethane shock absorbing insert which abuts against the foam insert in the insole to increase the cushioning effect on the forepart area of the foot. A two-layer socklining completes the suspension system. It includes a lower layer of shock absorbing foam and an upper cover of coagulated urethane. The socklining completely covers the footbed. The suspension system provides greater comfort, shock absorption, and cushioning to the wearer and is particularly suitable for women's dress and casual shoes.

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 waterproof shoe gasket insole strip comprising a stiff textile material gasket sheet coated with a selected thermoplastic polymer. The insole gasket is located between the insole and the outer sole. Due to its stiff, but flexible nature, it is easy to apply during lasting procedures.

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: The present invention provides a light and strong cycling shoe sole. A shoe according to the present invention includes a core, fibrous layers surrounding the core to reinforce the core, and a resin for integrating the fibrous layers and core.

Abstract: A strong, lightweight composite material having beneficial flexing characteristics is made using a unique reinforcement material. The reinforcement material comprises a fabric incorporating glass rovings with graphite tows in an architectural combination that retains the properties of both materials. Composite structures made using this reinforcement material with a thermosetting or thermoplastic matrix are extremely lightweight, with desirable anisotropic flexing properties. The finished composite structure is extremely useful as an arch support in a shoe to absorb and distribute the forces generated by walking. In distributing forces on the foot such a support will provide the desired stiffness along the longitudinal axis while allowing increased flexibility along the transverse axis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of manufacturing a midsole for a shoe and the structure of the resulting midsole. The midsole includes a core of a first plastic material and a peripheral wrap of a second plastic material. The wrap has an outer peripheral surface comprising at least a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the midsole. The method includes the steps of molding a peripheral wrap from a sheet stock of the first plastic material by applying compressive forces on the sheet stock in a direction which is substantially perpendicular with the outer surface of the sheet stock, placing the wrap around the inner peripheral surface of a mold which approximates the shape of the midsole, and pouring the first plastic material in the mold.

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: In a shoe sole, in particular for athletic shoes, that is assembled at least from an outsole and a cushioning midsole, where the midsole has recesses extending essentially perpendicular to the plane of the sole, to improve the comfort of such a shoe and to increase the dimensional stability of the sole parts, the midsole is formed of a first midsole element (1a) consisting of a compact thermoplastic material and a second midsole element (2a) consisting of a foamed plastic material. Recesses (3) are distributed at least predominantly over the entire first midsole element (1a) made of compact thermoplastic material and are closed on a side facing away from the second midsole element (2a). Additionally, the second midsole element (2a) is injected onto the first midsole element (1a) closing open ends of the recesses and optionally, partially penetrating the recesses and/or encapsulating stabilizing inserts disposed in the arch area of the first midsole element.

Abstract: A process of molding multi-durometer footwear soles which includes forming elongated components from compression moldable compounds, each component having a different hardness (Shore A). The components are configured and dimensioned such that the softer component will be positioned on top of and within the configuration of the bottom, harder component. The assembled components are placed in a compression mold and covulcanized together.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shock absorbing structure made of a rubber-like elastic material having a hardness in the range of 5 to 60, according to a JIS-A type hardness meter and being composed of a base and a plurality of ridges or projections spaced apart in parallel on said base. The shock absorbing structure according to the present invention is suitable as a shock absorbing material, especially, for shoes.

Abstract: Footwear construction having a comfort cradle device disposed in a midsole socket for support above the outsole contact with a walking or running surface and in which the cradle device is shaped to afford self centering and position stability for the wearer's foot. The cradle device is interlocked with the midsole through a system of fingers that move in response to the shift in applied load to return energy to the cradle.

Abstract: An athletic shoe is disclosed having a midsole which is substantially devoid of cushioning material in the arch region. An arch member is located in the arch region to provide support to the foot of a wearer.

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: An energy return system to be positioned in the midsole region of an athletic shoe comprises a top member made of resilient material and including a base having a plurality of integrally formed, closely spaced, downwardly depending and downwardly tapering elements, a bottom member made of resilient material and including a base having a plurality of corresponding integrally formed, closely spaced, upwardly extending and upwardly tapering elements, and sandwiched between the tips of the two set of elements a thin stiff intermediate sheet, the tips of the two pluralities of elements being aligned face to face with the stiff sheet positioned between them.

Abstract: A protective body is arranged for projection onto cleats of an associated athletic shoe, such that the body includes a first layer of a first durameter arranged to receive in a piercing manner the cleats such that a second layer of a second durameter measurement greater than the first durameter measurement is arranged to effect impalement of the cleats therewithin, with a third layer mounted coextensively to the second layer of a third durameter greater than the second durameter measurement for providing for a rigid support surface. A strap member is mounted through the layers for securement to the athletic shoe structure.

Abstract: A cushioning sole for use in footwear, in particular athletic shoes, is disclosed. The cushioning sole includes a rearfoot motion control device incorporated into a sole member. The device preferably functions to gradually control pronation motion. The device includes generally vertically extending rigid members and a plurality of horizontally extending plate members. In other preferred embodiments, a cushioning sole for use in footwear includes a rearfoot motion control device formed integrally with a heel supporting element, substantially rigid and generally vertical members of the rearfoot motion control device being perpendicular to each other, or an external surface of the rearfoot motion control device being visible from outside of the footwear.

Abstract: A legged walking robot such as a two-legged walking robot has a plurality of movable legs and a plurality of foot soles mounted respectively on distal ends of the movable legs by respective foot joints. Each of the foot soles has a curved surface disposed on at least a portion of a peripheral edge thereof. The curved surface is shaped such that the foot joint follows a predetermined curved path along a forward direction in which the legged walking robot walks. The foot sole also includes at least one projection on one or each of leading and trailing ends of the foot sole in the forward direction. The projection is movable into and out of a projecting position from the foot sole, but is normally urged into the projecting position to support the foot sole stably on the terrain.

Abstract: An insert member for use in an athletic shoe. The insert member is made of a material which includes a plurality of rows of alternating peaks and valleys.

Abstract: A cushioning sole for use in footwear, in particular athletic shoes, is disclosed. The cushioning sole includes a pronation control device incorporated into the midsole. The device functions to gradually increase the resistance to compression of the midsole from the lateral side to a maximum along the medial side. The device includes generally vertically extending rigid members and a plurality of horizontally extending plate members.

Abstract: A shoe sole including an outsole having forepart, arch and heel portions and a substantially flat cushioning element disposed above the outsole heel portion. The cushioning element defines a chamber which is pressurized with a fluid. Also included is an insole, disposed above the outsole forepart and arch portions of said outsole and directly adjacent the pressurized cushioning chamber. Further, a top of the pressurized cushioning chamber does not extend materially above a top of the directly adjacent insole.

Abstract: The sole comprises a case in which a liquid-containing chamber is connected to a chamber containing sponge-like material. Pressure on the weight-bearing portion of the foot is redistributed isostatically by the liquid-containing chamber. The pressure created in the liquid-containing chamber is applied against chamber having the air-containing material. The compressed air-material chamber stores energy when the foot pushes against the ground and releases it, spring-like, into the liquid chamber when the foot moves from the ground. The sole also provides for use of unequal ceiling and floor surface areas in the liquid chamber for decreased or increased forces felt on the foot.

Abstract: An electrical insole or outsole is provided to increase foot support. The insole is attached to the top of the sole body, whereas the outsole is attached to the bottom of the sole body. The insole or outsole has a raised front portion to shift some weight rearward to the center of the foot. The back portion of the insole is either raised or lowered, depending on the shoe heel height, to shift some weight forward to the center of the foot.

Abstract: An athletic shoe sole comprising a midsole and an outsole. The midsole has a longitudinally concave shaped ball portion which is thinnest along a transverse metatarsal line, such that a longitudinal concavity is formed facing downwardly and crossing the entire width of the ball portion of the midsole. The outsole has a longitudinally convex shaped ball portion which is thickest along the transverse metatarsal line, such that a longitudinal convexity is formed facing upwardly and crossing the entire width of the ball portion of the outsole. The longitudinally convex shaped ball portion of the outsole has numerous conical shaped hollow tread members aligned in a plurality of transverse rows, and two longitudinally elongated edgewise non-hollow tread members each having a plurality of transverse grooves.

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 resilient member adapted for use within a sole of an article of footwear is disclosed, which member includes a transverse central section which is adapted to extend lengthwise across a sole of an article of footwear, and at least two substantially vertical portions. At least one of the substantially vertical portions is positioned adjacent each end of the central section. The substantially vertical sections are adapted to provide support and to be positioned adjacent to the lateral edges of a sole of an article of footwear. Optionally, a support member or members may be employed to support the resilient member. Windows in the lateral edges of the sole allow the resilient member to be viewed, even when supported, because the support member is a transparent cradle.

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 athletic shoe with a torsional stabilizer incorporated therein comprises a substantially flat horizontal base member extending rearward across the width of the shoe, parallel to the sole of the shoe, from a transverse line located adjacent to and behind the phalangeal/metatarsal joints, at least to a line adjacent to, and forward of the heel portion of the shoe. Except for transverse edges forward of the heel-end, the base member is provided with a substantially vertical flange portion attached to the edges thereof, which serves to stabilize the base member relative to torsional forces acting thereon.

Abstract: A shoe, in particular an athletic or rehabilitative shoe having a resilient cushioning sole layer within which at least one insert part made of a honeycomb body of elastically compressive material is embedded with its central axes oriented perpendicular to the plane of the sole and honeycomb body. For improved resilient and energy return, the honeycomb body is made so that even the cells on the periphery of the body are closed in a gastight manner. Furthermore, in accordance with certain embodiments, the honeycomb insert is mounted in the shoe in a manner which permits endwise viewing of the cells of the honeycomb insert, while protecting the honeycomb against damaging ground contact during use. The honeycomb body can be embedded as an insert in a midsole or heel wedge layer.

Abstract: A cushioning device includes a plurality of liquid cells encapsulated in a flexible substrate sheet wherein each liquid cell is filled with water therein and the cells are juxtapositionally disposed on the sheet so that a cellular sheet may serve as a cushioning device for a user's seating, leaning or wearing for comfortable cushioning purposes.

Abstract: A shoe, especially a sport shoe, with a shoe sole, which is composed of an outsole, a midsole of elastically springy material and an insole, and a honeycomb body with cell walls oriented approximately perpendicular to the shoe outsole, is improved so that additional damping, especially at the moment that the shoe sole engages on the ground is made possible. This is achieved in that a honeycomb is incorporated into the midsole, as a part of the midsole itself or as a sole part connected or inserted in the midsole has cell walls that are gas-permeable so as to enable gas to be exchanged between adjacent honeycomb cells.

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: The present invention provides a shoe upper formed of a polymeric fabric mesh, with an ankle portion formed of an elastomeric polymeric material to provide support to an ankle portion of an individual. The upper includes ventilation apertures directed through a forward end of the shoe, with a first row of pneumatic tubes directed parallel to one another and coextensively with a bottom surface of the shoe, with a first resilient polymeric layer positioned interiorly of the first row of pneumatic tubes and a second row of pneumatic tubes positioned above the first resilient layer. A second polymeric layer and a third polymeric layer are respectively mounted to an interior surface in a laminated configuration, wherein each of the first, second, and third polymeric layers are of decreasing durometer of hardness to provide support and cushioning to an individual. A fluid absorbent fabric liner is formed coextensively about an interior surface of the shoe construction.

Abstract: Shoe sole for sport shoes with an outsole and a midsole of volume-compressible foamed material, as well as air cushions provided in the midsole is designed so that, on the one hand, the damping and, on the other hand, the restoring force, of the shoe sole, and thus the energy gain after release of the pressure from the shoe sole, is clearly improved. This is achieved in that the midsole (1) in the central area (2) under the heel bone (3), is provided with a honeycomb structure with individual honeycomb cells (4) that are integrally formed as part of the midsole (1) so as to open in a downward direction. These honeycomb cells (4) are sealed at their underside by an elastic cover (6).

Abstract: A shoe that reduces the likelihood of stress fractures occurring in the wearer's metatarsals. The shoe includes a midsole made of (i) a stress modulation layer that is made of material of relatively high duromoeter in the region of the first, fourth and fifth metatarsal, and a material of medium durmoeter in the region of the second and third durometer, and (ii) a stress moderation layer made mostly of a material of relatively low durometer.

Abstract: An athletic shoe with a spring plate in combination with a viscoelastic midsole, such spring plate extending substantially the length of the midsole from the medial side of the heel through the arch where the spring plate is curvilinear and on the exterior of the shoe, through the metatarsal head area and beneath the toes. The spring plate is of multiple layers, each of parallel carbon fibers embedded in polymer, the fibers being at acute angles in successive layers, in symmetry. The stiffness of the plate is anisotropic, being greater longitudinally than laterally. The thickness of the plate forward of the metatarsal break line is half that of the plate rearwardly of the break line.