Abstract: A midsole (18) is formed from a first, interior member (26) and a second, exterior member (28) molded around the top and sides of the first member (26). The first and second members (26) and (28) are formed of cushionable material and the second member (28) has a higher hardness and resiliency than the first member (26).

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 running shoe having a sole structure that includes an outsole extending from the toe to the heel and having a thickened section extending the full width of the sole structure and positioned to underlie the ball of the foot. The thickened section is appreciably thicker than the portions of the outsole that underlie the remainder of the foot. A plurality of parallel slots are cut in the thicker section across the full width of the outsole and extend from the bottom surface or tread, upwardly to just short of the top surface of the outsole to form hinges which allow it to readily flex. The slots may be partially bridged by struts which do not interfere with the hinge action at each of the slots but which provide added strength to the outsole at that region.

Abstract: The shoe of the invention consists of a thermally-moldable material which is secured in a cut-out region of the shoe sole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for dulling molded block copolymer compositions comprising coating the surface of a molded block copolymer rubber composition with a dulling solution comprising a polymeric binder which is compatible with the molded block copolymer rubber composition, a matting agent and a suitable solvent and evaporating the solvent.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the encapsulation of a cellular insert, in the form of cellular components, formed of woven material fabricating such cellular components that present voids or cavities therein, or which may be formed from spirally or helically wound strands of a polymer having a hardness exceeding that of the foamed or other polymer composition in which the insert locates, as within the structure of a sole for an athletic shoe.

Abstract: The manufacture of a sole unit for footwear, such as an athletic shoe including an integral midsole/wedge or a separable wedge for use with a midsole. The integral midsole/wedge unit and the separable wedge comprise a shell and a core at least partially encapsulated within the shell. In the manufacture the core is supported in a mold by a plurality of pins extending from an upper and lower mold half toward a parting line; or the core is supported on one or the other of an outsole or insole of the sole unit and closed in the mold. The material of the shell is poured or injected into the mold.

Abstract: A midsole for an athletic shoe made by a process comprising, forming a plastic board using a composition containing polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polyester fiber, acrylic fiber, nylon fiber and cotton fiber, overlaying at least one layer of woven fabric on said plastic board, and punching needle holes at intervals in the full area of the superposed board and fabric layer, whereby the fibers in the board and the fabric layer are interlinked binding the board and the fabric layer, and vents are formed in the bonded board and the fabric layer.

Abstract: An article of footwear is provided. The article includes a sole which has forefoot and rearfoot portions. The sole forefoot portion has both a medial and a lateral aspect. The sole forefoot portion is comprised of different compressibilities of materials selected and arranged across the width thereof such that the sole effectively slopes at an angle upwardly from the lateral aspect to the medial aspect when weight-bearing forces are exerted on the forefoot and thereby providing an effective inclined surface of resultant thickness greater at the medial aspect of the forefoot than at the lateral aspect as a result of less compressible material at the medial aspect of the forefoot than at the lateral aspect when the sole of said article of footwear is intended for use by individuals whose feet have a tendency toward compensation in a pronated direction due to their inherent inverted forefoot varus foot type.

Abstract: In an athletic shoe, an external counter and cushion assembly includes a substantially rigid external counter extending medially to approximately the front flex line, and a rearfoot cushion member is mounted within the rigid counter. This assembly mounts externally to the heel and counter region of a lasted upper. The floor of the cushion member also extends forwardly toward the front-flex region of the shoe and is preferably wedge-shaped to serve as a heel-lift layer. The cushion walls are generally coextensive with the counter walls, insulating the upper from the rigid counter in this region. The external counter construction includes a base flange which mounts atop the midsole periphery on a plane substantially below the bottom surface of the foot.

Abstract: In an article of footwear for use with a foot wherein the article has an upper portion and a sole. The sole has a forefoot and a rearfoot portion with the sole forefoot portion having a medial aspect and a lateral aspect. The sole forefoot portion is of varying thickness across the width thereof such that the sole slopes at an angle upwardly from the medial aspect to the lateral aspect to provide an inclined surface of greater thickness at the lateral aspect than at said medial aspect. This compensates the forefoot in its naturally everted angulation in those individuals who are recognized to have a forefoot valgus foot type and maintains the normal alignment, position, motion and function of the entire foot during use of said article of footwear.

Abstract: A sole for a sport shoe, especially of the type used for running over great distances, and having a one or multilayered midsole made of soft, elastic, shock-absorbing material disposed between an insole and an outer sole of abrasion resistent material, the midsole being provided with vertically oriented damping members possessing harder resiliency characteristics than the material of the midsole. For the purpose of improving the mounting of the damping members and for enlarging the degree to which the damping characteristics can be adjusted, the damping members are formed as damping discs (6) that are exchangeably insertable in cylinders (5). A piston (8) is received in each cylinder for pressing against the damping discs (6).

Abstract: Improved footwear for physical exercise, such as running or jogging, in which a segment of the shoe extending beneath the third, fourth and fifth metatarsal-phalangeal joints on the lateral side of the shoe is comprised of a crepe or spongy rubber material, which is substantially more flexible than the material which comprises the remainder of the solepiece. This configuration reduces the resistance of the solepieces to the flexure of the foot along the third, fourth and fifth metatarsal-phalangeal joints, thereby reducing the stress on the corresponding foot muscles and allowing the stronger foot muscles which operate the first and second metatarsal-phalangeal joints on the medial side of the foot to do most of the work in flexing the foot during the running motion. As a result, the weaker muscles in the lateral side of the foot are not overly stressed and the direction of motion of the foot at the toe lift-off is substantially in the desired direction of running.

Abstract: A sole for an athletic shoe having an outer sole and a midsole formed of several layers, especially for running disciplines, is improved in such a way that stresses caused by pressure occurring during running and affecting the foot and the ankles are controlled in such a way that injury, especially injury to the ankles and premature fatiguing, is largely avoided. This is achieved by the midsole being comprised of a softly elastic inner part, a hard-elastic stabilizer and a cushioning piece that are formed into a unit and surrounded on all sides by a softly elastic sheathing.

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: A sole construction for protective shoes comprises a protective mid-sole and an integrally molded insole and heel plug, the plug portion including a top surface, a recessed bed in the top surface, spaced-apart anchoring projections in the recessed bed and a slot extending through the insole laterally thereof adjacent the plug and communicating with the recessed bed. The mid-sole being coextensive with the insole and including a rearward extension adapted to pass through the slot in the insole and be received in the recessed bed. The rearward extension of the mid-sole includes complementary anchoring seats adapted to be selectively engaged by at least one of the anchoring projections in the bed.

Abstract: An athletic shoe (10) comprises an outsole (12) and an upper (14) secured thereto and cooperating therewith to enclose the foot of the wearer. Upper (14) is of a one-piece full slip-on construction and is designed to overlay the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the foot and thus completely enclose the foot of the wearer. Outsole (12) comprises an upper layer (16) for being disposed adjacent the bottom surface of upper (14) and a lower layer (18) secured thereto for being disposed adjacent the ground. Upper layer (16) overlays lower layer (18) and includes side portions (20) which extend upwardly to overlap upper (14) and to be secured thereto. The upper surface of upper layer (16) includes a bridge (22) consisting of a plurality of diamond-shaped recesses extending laterally across the width of the shoe and rearwardly from a point proximate the instep of the foot to the heel of the foot.

Abstract: An improved golf shoe construction of the so-called "soft" variety. This golf shoe includes a sole comprised of an outsole layer and a midsole layer between which a plurality of spike retaining sockets are located. Attached to the midsole is a wedge shaped heel piece. According to one aspect of this invention, a cross shaped stabilizer shank is affixed between the midsole and heel piece. This shank design provides improved lateral arch aid support and enhances the torsional stiffness of the shoe. According to another aspect of this invention, the outsole and midsole are stitched and bonded together thus providing redundant attachment means thereby preventing delamination.

Abstract: In an article of footwear for use with a foot wherein the article has an upper portion and a sole. The sole has a forefoot and a rearfoot portion with the sole forefoot portion having a medial aspect and a lateral aspect. The sole forefoot portion is of varying thickness across the width thereof such that the sole slopes at an angle upwardly from the lateral aspect to the medial aspect to provide an inclined surface of greater thickness at the medial aspect than at said lateral aspect. This compensates the forefoot in its naturally inverted angulation and maintains the normal alignment, position, motion and function of the entire foot during use of said article of footwear.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the sole-and-heel structure includes an outer member having a sole portion and a heel portion. A bulge is molded into the heel portion and a bulge is molded into the sole portion in the metatarsal region thereof. A thin sealing member is attached to the outer member with adhesive to hermetically seal the cavities defined by the two bulges. A passageway between the two cavities enables air to move back and forth during movement of a person wearing shoes incorporating such sole-and-heel structure.

Abstract: The manufacture of a sole unit for footwear, such as an athletic shoe including an integral midsole/wedge or a separable wedge for use with a midsole. The integral midsole/wedge unit and the separable wedge comprise a shell and a core at least partially encapsulated within the shell. In the manufacture the core is supported in a mold by a plurality of pins extending from an upper and lower mold half toward a parting line; or the core is supported on one or the other of an outsole or insole of the sole unit and closed in the mold. The material of the shell is poured or injected into the mold.

Abstract: A midsole assembly for an athletic shoe in which a corrugated sheet is integrally arranged in the midsole thereof. The corrugated sheet provides a proper stiffness of the midsole made of rubber or expandable synthetic resin as well as a proper cushioning property thereof and therefore provides a comfortable feeling when worn, best suited to each athletic activity.

Abstract: The invention provides a sports shoe comprising a sole, and an upper having flaps with opposed edges adapted to be drawn together over the instep of the wearer with a shoelace, said opposed edges substantially meeting in a region extending from the leg opening of the shoe towards the toe to a point where they part to define an aperture extending across the shoe to impart increased flexibility to the toe region.

Abstract: An insole for a sports shoe comprises an insole body of foam synthetic resin having recesses formed therein at the forefoot and heel areas. Corresponding pieces are of material having higher durometer hardness than that of the insole body and inserted in the recesses to provide good properties required for various kinds of sports.

Abstract: A sole unit for footwear such as an athletic shoe includes an integral midsole/wedge or a wedge for use with a midsole. The integral midsole/wedge unit and the wedge for use with a midsole both are formed by a shell and an encapsulated core. The shell and core comprise plastic materials which have individual strengths and weaknesses in a shoe construction, yet provide, as a composite improved results in a shock dispersion and memory system. In a second aspect, the integral midsole/wedge is a single density or a two-density unit precompressed from a low density material.

Abstract: An athletic shoe sole constructed to provide good cushioning and durability and to preclude overpronation of the foot. An outersole body progressively increases in thickness toward the inside edge of the sole from a longitudinal midline axis of thereof in a region extending from a heel portion to an arch portion of the outersole body, and is provided with a plurality of projection harder than the outersole body secured to its lower surface on an inner side of a heel portion of the outersole body and a plurality of projections softer than the outersole body secured to its lower surface on the remaining region of the outersole body. A cushioning midsole has a shape in section complementary to the thickness of the outersole body is overlaid on it.

Abstract: An insole for shoes, with which, after having made a connection, preferably by sewing, between the insole and the shoe upper, a body of polyurethane forming the running sole and/or the foot bed is applied to the bottom side of the insole by foaming operation, consists of a fleece substantially formed of synthetic fibres and having arranged therein a reinforcing insert approximately extending in parallel relation to the upper side of the insole. At least the upper portion of the fleece, which is adjacent the upper side of the insole on which rests the foot, is impregnated with a dispersion or emulsion containing at least 1 percent by weight of hollow microspheres, the thin shell of which consists of a vinylidene chloride copolymer and the hollow core of which contains a gas.

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: A foamed material, which is adapting under pressure to the shape of parts, particularly of parts of the human body, but which on pressure relief again returns to a vast extent and after a certain restoring time into the original shape, consists of the following constituents:(a) substantially saturated liquid hydrocarbons;(b) unsaturated liquid hydrocarbons, preferably polybutadiene;(c) a reactive agent, preferably polyisocyanate, with which the unsaturated liquid hydrocarbons are reacted;(d) a cross-linking agent, for example ethylene hexane diol;(e) hollow microspheres, the thin shell of which consists of vinylidene chloride copolymer and the interior of which contains a gas.

Abstract: The shoe bottom unit is made of a single piece of material having an upper side, a lower side, a rear part for supporting a heel, a flexible forepart, and a stiff waist part joining together said forepart and said rear part. The forepart has an opening for receiving a top portion of a wearing member. The wearing member comprises a top portion having an outside contour substantially complementary in shape to the shape of said opening and having a height substantially equal to the thickness of said flexible forepart.

Abstract: A running shoe having a sole structure that includes an outsole extending from the toe to the heel and having a thickened section extending the full width of the sole structure and positioned to underlie the ball of the foot. The thickened section is appreciably thicker than the portions of the outsole that underlie the remainder of the foot. A plurality of parallel slots are cut in the thicker section across the full width of the outsole and extend from the bottom surface or tread, upwardly to just short of the top surface of the outsole to form hinges which allow it to readily flex. The slots may be partially bridged by struts which do not interfere with the hinge action at each of the slots but which provide added strength to the outsole at that region.

Abstract: Shoe, including a relatively thin inner sole, an outer sole and an elastic intermediate sole disposed between the inner and outer soles, defining a tip, a heel, and regions accommodating the toes, the roots of the toes and the ball of the foot including a step point, the inner sole being substantially horizontal from the tip of the shoe to a location between the step point of the region accommodating the ball of the foot and the heel of the shoe, the intermediate sole having a relatively strong construction in vicinity of the region accommodating the ball of the foot and having an upwardly tapered section from the region accommodating the roots of the toes to the tip of the shoe, the intermediate sole having a multiplicity of holes formed therein in the region accommodating the toes for additionally reducing the hardness of the intermediate sole in the region accommodating the toes.

Abstract: A shoe construction characterized by flexible layers of inelastic material sandwiching a resilient mid-sole serves to provide stability to the length and width of the sole over a trailing portion thereof.

Abstract: A shoe sole construction which features an outer sole (18) having at least one opening (26) through which a protrusion (30) of a less dense midsole (16) extends. The cutout area (26) of the more dense outsole (18) decreases the overall weight of the sole (12), while the less dense protrusion (30) aids in cushioning the foot to provide greater comfort and support. Other protrusions (32 and 68) may also be provided through other openings in the outsole to further lessen weight and increase the cushioning effect on the foot. Additionally, grooves (42) may be provided on the upper surface (40) of the midsole (16) to increase flexibility of the sole (12) and further aid in cushioning the foot and providing peripheral support where needed. The invention may be applied to athletic shoes (FIGS. 1-9), a woman's high-heeled shoe (FIGS. 10-14), or other footwear.

Abstract: An improved sole for footwear comprising an insole unit having an axially extending surface and a peripheral rib projecting downwardly from the surface for stitching the insole to the upper of the footwear, a midsole attached to the insole, the insole and midsole defining the top and bottom surfaces of a cavity, the cavity being bounded about its periphery by the rib, and an outsole attached to the midsole, the improvement comprising an orthotic element mounted in the cavity, the orthotic element comprising an axially extending flexible support layer.

Abstract: A ski shoe for use with a cross-country ski, comprising a sole extending in a longitudinal direction and having a region accommodating the ball of the foot of a wearer of the ski shoe, the sole including transverse strips of a rigid but thin sheet material arranged solely in said region and being spaced from each other in said direction.

Abstract: A sole for use in sports shoes, particularly tennis shoes. The sole comprises an insole, a midsole of a comparatively soft, compressible and resilient material, and an outsole. The latter is formed with a central portion of a compressible and resilient material possessing a high coefficient of friction, preferably rubber, while the rest of said outsole consists of a compressible and resilient material that is harder than the material of the midsole.

Abstract: An otherwise conventionally constructed running shoe sole is provided with a rounded border having a radius of curvature of about 20 mm only along approximately the rear 50% of the length of the outer side of the midsole and heel edge layers, the remaining border area being provided with a conventional flaring or the like with the exception of a transition zone. In accordance with a modified embodiment, a convexly curved shock-absorber bar is incorporated into the sole and is outwardly covered by a layer of softer material which is provided with the outer curvature, and which increases the cushioning capacity of the sole during initial heel strike.

Abstract: A biomechanical article of footwear constructed to assure proper control of pronation and supination of the wearer's foot during locomotion achieved primarily by coordinate action of an extended varus wedge molded into the inner side of the heel and arcuate ribs in the forward half of the outsole designed to collapse and expedite torquing and reduce shearing forces of the foot and leg during med-stance propulsion. These important features are supplemented beneficially by an insole assembly including a material which takes a set during initial use in conformity with load bearing surfaces of the foot, and raised areas of the sole assembly beneath metatarsal arch to aid uniform weight distribution, and by a toe crest. Additionally and importantly improved self-adjusting strapping is provided to hold the sole assembly to the foot.

Abstract: A shoe sole for application to the underside of a shoe includes a sole element having substantially convex upper and lower surfaces. The sole element may have a toe portion at one end thereof and the thickness of the sole element adjacent to the toe portion may increase toward the one end.

Abstract: A footwear such as shoes, boots, slippers etc., comprises a three-layered structure including an outer cover, an intermediate layer made of foamed urethane and an inner cover.The inner cover has a double-layered structure including first and second layer of fabric and the first and second layer are so combined as not only to show good absorption of the sweat emitted from the wearer's foot but also to keep the surface thereof held in contact to the foot dry.

Abstract: Shaped articles are formed from a composition comprising a mixture of (1) a thermoplastic elastomer copolymer of at least one conjugated diene and at least one vinyl arene, preferably a butadiene-styrene block copolymer and (2) at least one poly(vinyl arene) resin, preferably poly(alphamethyl styrene), which is thermally bonded sans adhesive to smooth plastics consisting essentially of polymers or copolymers of vinyl chloride.

Abstract: A sandal useful especially in wet areas and also where there is soft ground such as at the beach. The sandal has opposite side edges that slope in a downward-outward direction, to provide a wider foot print that minimizes sideward twisting on soft ground, to avoid splashing of water onto the wearer, and to avoid disintegration of the side portions of soft rubber sandal material. The bottom surface of the sandal slopes upward at the rear and front to further avoid splashing of water onto the wearer. The lower surface of the sandal has a herringbone pattern, with each ridge interrupted by narrow cross projections that help avoid splipping due to hydroplaning.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing shoe sole material which is lightweight in addition to having such properties as the conventional rubber sole materials have like wear resistance and elasticity etc., in a simple manner by forming the outsole and midsole layers into one piece by fusion using a mold. The mold comprises mold pieces having on their surface optional pattern and protruding stripes of the same or different pattern carved at equal intervals, and permits a streamline-shaped heel-up on the rear end of the portions which are to become heels, at the same time as forming the midsole and outsole layers into one piece by fusion.

Abstract: A foot bed insertable into a shoe and heat moldable to conform to the user's foot is provided. The foot bed comprises a three layer laminate in which the base, or bottom, layer comprises a relatively thick, heat deformable foam rubber material which maintains a compression set upon cooling. The middle layer is of foamed elastomer which is highly resistant to permanent deformation both of ambient temperature and at the moderately elevated temperatures used in molding the base layer. A top, or face, layer which is thinner and less compressible than the middle layer acts to uniformly distribute compression loads to the middle layer and to transmit lateral movements for absorption within the middle layer.

Abstract: A padded shoe sole having orthopedic properties consists of a wear-resistant lower walking sole layer of a suitable plastics or rubber material and a flexible upper padded layer of light-weight foam.

Abstract: A cross-country ski boot comprises a sole of synthetic resin and including a heel portion defining a recess of V-shaped cross section and upwardly projecting lateral edges forwardly of the heel portion.

Abstract: An elastic sole for a shoe, such as a sport shoe, includes an outer sole with a profiled wearing surface and an inner sole. The inner sole forms at least one chamber. A spring member is located within the chamber and includes a plurality of elastomer spring elements and a tension rod extending through the spring elements. The tension rod is connected to abutments at opposite ends of the spring elements. One end of the tension rod is accessible on the exterior of the sole for adjusting the spring characteristic of the spring member.

Abstract: A shoe or other like article of footwear has a heel construction having higher shock absorbing capability in a rear portion compared to the remainder, this difference resulting from the incorporation in the rear portion of a layer of elastomeric material having a recovery which is delayed, after compression, by a time of an order not less than that during which load through the construction is transferred from the rear portion to the remainder following heel strike during normal walking. This load transfer time is about 40 ms. and the delayed recovery time will not normally exceed about 1s. A similar higher shock absorbancy can be provided additionally in a localized area of the sole.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved design associated with the fabrication and construction of an athletic shoe sole capable of minimizing stress and strain to the functioning portions of the human body associated with any athletic endeavor that utilizes an individual's lower extremities to participate in same. In accordance with the invention, there is created an athletic shoe sole that permits the mirroring as well as the complementing of the natural bend of the human foot at the metatarso-phalangeal joints in that the composition and construction of said athletic shoe sole coincident with its location at said metatarso-phalangeal joints varies from the overall composition of said athletic shoe sole so as to evidence compression and expansion characteristics different from that of the overall characteristics of the composition of material utilized in fabricating said athletic shoe sole thereby achieving the overall advantages of the invention.