Abstract: An article of footwear with multiple cross sectional profile shapes disposed on an outer peripheral edge of a sole is disclosed. The multiple cross sectional profile shapes on the outer peripheral edge of the sole can help increase the lateral performance and lateral stability of a wearer of the article of footwear.

Abstract: An article of footwear including an upper formed of a flexible upper material and a sole formed of a flexible sole material, wherein the sole is rolled, folded, or collapsed onto itself to reduce the volume of the article of footwear. The article of footwear in a collapsed state can then be packaged in a container. This container can be dispensed by a vending machine in a convenient urban area.

Abstract: A footwear sole structure may include a plurality of discrete sole elements defined by a plurality of sipes. The sipes may include a plurality of sipes that extend in a direction extending from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure and be rearwardly angled. Those sipes may be located in a midfoot region. The sole structure may include a plurality of additional sipes having longitudinal, transverse and other orientations.

Abstract: In the specification and drawings, an outsole is described and shown with a lateral support protruding from the lateral edge of the toe half of the body of the outsole.

Abstract: An article of footwear has a molded outsole which contains a resilient midsole located in the cavity of the outsole and a footbed cover which has a stretch material layer affixed to the outsole and provides a stretch zone. The stretch zone allows the footbed cover to work in conjunction with the resilient midsole to absorb shock upon heel strike or other compression of the midsole to increase comfort. Preferably, the midsole has sections of different hardness in the heel area and the forefoot area.

Abstract: An article of footwear is provided, which may include an upper and a sole structure. The sole structure may include a chassis including a forefoot region, a midfoot region, a heel region, a lateral width, a longitudinal axis, and a reinforcing rib disposed longitudinally and having a length along the longitudinal axis. The rib may include a rearward end disposed proximate the heel region of the chassis, the rib longitudinally extending substantially through the midfoot region of the chassis to a forward end of the rib. Also, the lateral width of the reinforcing rib may span a substantial majority of the lateral width of the chassis over a substantial majority of the length of the rib. Further, the lateral width of the rib at the forward end and the rearward end is less than or equal to the lateral width of the rib at any point between the rearward end and the forward end.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a shoe where an orthopedic adjustment is integrated into the construction of the shoe itself. The invention entails adjusting one or more of the soles or other construction features of the shoe in order to accommodate a medical condition or treatment regimen. For instance, in abnormalities of the knee joint, there is a need to redistribute the weight of the body from an afflicted symptomatic compartment of the knee to an un-afflicted and asymptomatic, or lesser effected and less symptomatic compartment so as to relieve the pain and stress at the most afflicted and most symptomatic compartment. The present invention achieves this by pitching the sole or heel, or both, of a shoe, where the pitching region depends on the portion of the knee that is afflicted, and the angle is chosen to counter and redistribute the weight of the body accordingly.

Abstract: Footwear is provided having a midsole platform, a full length insole and a orthotic midsole in the form of an orthotic shell received between the midsole platform and the insole. The orthotic shell has a heel portion to support a heel of a foot of a wearer and a forefoot portion to support a forefoot of the wearer at least in a region behind and near metatarsal heads of the foot. The orthotic shell is shaped to partially cup the heel and support the forefoot in one of a plurality of determined orientations. The footwear may further include a plurality of support plugs to support the orthotic shell in one of the determined orientations and a shank coupled to the midsole platform to increase torsional rigidity of the footwear with respect to a longitudinal length thereof. Methods of making footwear are also provided.

Abstract: A shoe with a curved rocker bottom sole member with an H-shaped pad that is decoupled from the sole member. The shoe promotes a mid-foot region footstrike and a more even distribution of pressure.

Abstract: An article of footwear with a pivot portion including a plurality of flex grooves is disclosed. The plurality of flex grooves provides increased flexibility in different portions of a sole of the article. In addition, a periphery of the sole includes sole pods to increase the traction on the periphery of the sole.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shoe having a multi-layer, multi-density midsole where the surfaces between midsole layers have one or more convexities and one or more concavities which collectively contribute to simulating the effect, and imparting the fitness benefits, of walking on a sandy beach or on a giving or uneven surface regardless of the actual hardness of the surface.

Abstract: The present invention is called Silly Solez. This device is a portion of the tread, sole, footwear top or footwear bottom which can easily be removed and then replaced. This device can be used on any type of footwear to print, imprint or mold with either side of the device. It can also be removed and used as a stamp. The present invention can be made with or without a resevoir to allow ink or dye to release and leave prints of the various designs. The present invention can also be used as a removable waterproof storage device on the top or the bottom of the sole of footwear.

Abstract: The present invention provides a midsole with a main body and a peripheral component having foam material filled inside, precise ornamental details and wear-resistant outer shell. According to the present invention, a preferred method of manufacturing a midsole with less weight than traditional and high resolution pattern is provided with the steps of: forming a TPU thin sheet into a shell with three-dimensional ornamental details and a receiving space, filling a foam material into the receiving space thereby to enhance the strength of the shell, trimming the shell together with the filled foam material from the thin sheet to be a peripheral component of the present invention, forming a main body of the midsole by foam material, and bonding the peripheral component to the main body of the midsole.

Abstract: A shoe includes a shoe upper portion made of flexible material, the upper portion including a foot border, a toe region, front-flex portion, arch region, rear-flex portion, and heel region. A split sole portion is secured to the bottom of the shoe upper portion, the sole portion including a front-sole portion under the toe region of the upper portion, a mid-sole portion under the arch region of the upper portion and a rear-sole portion under the heel region of the upper portion. The front-sole portion folds at the front-flex portion into the mid-sole portion and the rear-sole portion folds at the rear-flex portion into the mid-sole portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe, especially to a sports shoe, with a shoe upper (1) and a sole (2, 3) consisting of at least two parts, wherein at least one part of the sole (2) is arranged in the forefoot region and at least on part of the sole (3) is arranged in the rearfoot region, wherein the shoe upper (1) has at least two cutouts (4, 5) in the region facing the ground, wherein the size and the shape of the cutouts (4, 5) correspond to those of the parts of the sole (2, 3) in their contact region with the shoe upper (1), wherein the parts of the sole (2, 3) are inserted into or are placed at the cutouts (4, 5) and are connected with the shoe upper (1) permanently.

Abstract: A footwear sole assembly that includes a sole body defining voids of different depths. The voids are arranged to provide relatively greater cushioning and bendability within at least one of a metatarsus portion and a calcaneus portion of the sole body. A heel top surface of the footwear sole assembly is elevated between about 4 mm and about 12 mm above a forefoot top surface of the footwear sole assembly.

Abstract: An ankle-foot orthotic device incorporating an adjustable response system allowing the hindfoot to recognize that the foot landed on the heel during a walking sequence is provided. The device is constructed to provide feedback for the patient to make adjustments needed throughout the body structures to prepare for weight transfer onto the foot during gait. The system also helps the patient to maintain toe extension during a walking sequence. The device generally incorporates an articulated foot support and a foot support insert configured to substantially inhibit supination or pronation of the mid foot.

Abstract: A sole structure may include a midsole element, a plate, a first chamber, and a second chamber. The midsole element may be formed from a foamed polymer material. The plate may be formed from a substantially non-foamed polymer material, and the plate has an upper surface and an opposite lower surface. The plate is embedded within the midsole element such that the foamed polymer material exposes a first area and a second area of the lower surface. The first chamber and the second chamber each have a fluid-filled configuration. The first chamber is secured to the first area, and the second chamber is secured to the second area.

Abstract: An article of footwear that includes an outsole, including an outsole groove that extends generally in a thickness direction through the outsole to separate the outsole into first and second outsole elements. Furthermore, the article of footwear includes a midsole, including a midsole groove that extends generally in a thickness direction through the midsole to separate the midsole into first and second midsole elements. The first midsole element is operably secured to the first outsole element to define a first element assembly, and the second midsole element is operably secured to the second outsole element to define a second element assembly. Furthermore, the outsole groove and the midsole groove are substantially aligned with each other, and the first and second element assemblies interlock with each other.

Abstract: An application for a pivoting sole for use in an energy-return shoe system includes a shoe portion with a bottom surface. An upper toe sole is affixed to the toe area of the bottom surface and an upper heel sole is affixed to a heel area of the bottom surface. The upper heel sole is pivotally connected to the upper toe sole.

Abstract: A sole structure of a sports shoe includes an outsole and an intermediate sole having a number of portions that is flexible and supports the foot during running. The intermediate sole includes a flexible body element extending along the entire length of the shoe, and a flexible heel absorption element extending to the heel area, and a support element fitted between them extending from the heel area to the ball area which is of a less flexible material than the body element or the heel absorption element. The support element includes a substantially plate-like heel portion and a shaped front portion, which are separated from each other by a substantially cross-directional support ridge protruding from the lower surface of the support element. The intermediate sole also includes an hourglass-shaped ball absorption element, a carbon fiber plate increasing the torsional rigidity of the support element and an arch support.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved shoe sole for a running shoe conducive to a midfoot striking gait including a cushioning element positioned between the upper surface and the ground-contacting surface, at least a portion of which is positioned on a lateral side of the sole and contained within a region between 15% and 90% of the length of the shoe sole as measured from a rearfoot end of the sole. One or more high abrasion-resistant ground-contacting crash pads are positioned below the cushioning element, and include a lateral side portion contained within a region extending a distance of 20% the length of the shoe sole, as measured from a rearfoot end of the shoe sole. The shoe sole, preferably devoid of at least vertical arch sculpting, also includes a longitudinal flex groove positioned just medial of the crash pads.

Abstract: A shoe outsole and method of manufacture wherein the outsole, or various components thereof such as various inserts and/or additional layers associated with a particular outsole, are formed using various scrap materials generated during the shoe manufacturing process such as leather, leather dust, jute, and other fibrous material, the scrap materials being used as a filler material and being mixed with various elastomeric materials to form the shoe outsole and various components thereof. The outsole can be formed as a substantially one-piece unit, or it can be formed as a base sole layer having one or more additional layers associated therewith including inserts associated with the forefoot and heel regions of the outsole.

Abstract: Provided is functional footwear that restrains bad smell and the propagation of germs due to long-time usage of the footwear while maintaining a correct posture of a wearer by cushioning impact applied to feet and distributing pressure. The functional footwear includes a first groove formed in a length direction at a predetermined portion of a midsole, a second groove formed in a width direction of the midsole to be connected with the first groove, a recess formed inside the second groove and perfume emitting materials or antibacterial materials inserted into the recess.

Abstract: A shoe sole construction includes a sole member formed from a synthetic plastic material having a first durometer value of hardness and including toe, ball, arch, and heel portions. Relatively rigid toe and heel plates are secured to bottom surface of the sole member on opposite sides of a relatively soft flex bar member that extends transversely across the ball portion of the sole member. A plurality of toe cushion members are mounted for independent movement within openings contained in the toe plate, and a stabilizing arch cushion member is mounted in the recess defined in the heel plate. These cushion members have an intermediate durometer value that, during use, permits compression of these cushion members in a footprint pattern.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention includes a footwear assembly comprising: an upper and a sole assembly connected to the upper. The sole assembly has a footwear assembly comprising a sole assembly connected to an upper. The sole assembly has a midsole made of a first material and having a forefoot portion, an arch portion, a heel portion, and a sidewall extending around a lateral side, a medial side, and a heel side of the midsole. A stiffener is connected to the midsole. The stiffener is made of a second material stiffer than the first material. The stiffener has a base portion adjacent to the arch portion and at least one of the forefoot portion and the heel portion of the midsole. The stiffener has a side stabilizer and a heel wrap coupled to the base portion. The side stabilizer is adjacent to the sidewall in at least one of the arch portion and forefoot portion. The heel wrap is adjacent to the heel side and at least one of the lateral side and medial side of the midsole's sidewall.

Abstract: An athletic shoe system may include a substantially flat mid-sole portion extending from a metatarsal joint area to a mid-heel arch area, a toe portion tapering upwardly lengthwise from the metatarsal joint area to a front edge of the system at a first angle of 25-35 degrees and tapering upwardly widthwise from the metatarsal joint area to an area along an outer edge of the toe portion at a second angle of 29-31 degrees. The athletic shoe system also may include a heel portion tapering upwardly from the mid-heel arch area to a back edge of the system at an angle of 25-35 degrees. The substantially flat mid-sole portion may contact a surface when the system is in a stationary position. The toe portion and the heel portion may have substantially uniform curvature along a longitudinal axis of the system.

Abstract: An orthotic shoe sole assembly and an orthotic insole are disclosed herein. The orthotic shoe assembly includes a shoe sole having an exposed surface and at least one exposed cavity accessible via the exposed surface. The at least one exposed cavity includes a central region and a plurality of channels extending from the central region. A resilient member is removably positioned within the central region of the exposed cavity. The resilient member is configured to resiliently expand into at least one of the plurality of channels of the exposed cavity. The orthotic insole is removably positioned to selectively conceal the exposed cavity of the shoe sole and the resilient member. The orthotic insole includes a central axis member for supporting a foot along its central axis.

Abstract: An article of footwear including an upper formed of a flexible upper material and a sole formed of a flexible sole material, wherein the sole is rolled, folded, or collapsed onto itself to reduce the volume of the article of footwear. The article of footwear in a collapsed state can then be packaged in a container. This container can be dispensed by a vending machine in a convenient urban area.

Abstract: A shoe has a sole including a platform for supporting a wearer's foot upon a surface. The shoe includes a heel pedestal extending from the platform beneath a wearer's heel, a lateral stabilizer pedestal extending from the platform at least partially beneath a wearer's cuboid bone, and a medial stabilizer pedestal extending from the platform at least partially beneath a wearer's navicular bone. The heel pedestal, the lateral stabilizer pedestal, and the medial stabilizer pedestal include an outsole for contacting the surface, a compressible middle layer between the outsole and the wearer's foot, and a base layer between the middle layer and the wearer's foot having a compressibility that is lower than the compressibility of the middle layer.

Abstract: An article of footwear including a woven strap system is disclosed. The woven strap system preferably wraps along the entirety of the outsole, including a bottom side and an outer periphery. The article of footwear also includes a midsole that rests inside the woven strap system, just above the outsole.

Abstract: A shoe with replaceable shoe cartridges includes a shoe frame having a forefoot portion, a middle portion extending from the forefoot portion and a heel portion extending from the middle portion; a sole provided on the shoe frame; a forefoot sole cartridge removably engaging the sole at the forefoot portion of the shoe frame; and a heel sole cartridge removably engaging the sole at the heel portion of the shoe frame.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate generally to the field of footwear, and more particularly to components of performance footwear, such as midsoles, as well as methods of making midsoles. In various embodiments, multiple response property midsoles and/or portions of footwear are provided that may include strategically arranged multiple response property areas having blended transition zones disposed there between. Such blended transition zones may help facilitate a more fluid foot movement, improve manufacturing and production techniques, and prevent injury to the foot, ankle, and/or legs during exercise, such as running, hiking, walking, and other impact-generating activities.

Abstract: An article of footwear with multiple cross sectional profile shapes disposed on an outer peripheral edge of a sole is disclosed. The multiple cross sectional profile shapes on the outer peripheral edge of the sole can help increase the lateral performance and lateral stability of a wearer of the article of footwear.

Abstract: Footwear according to the present disclosure includes an upper and a sole assembly coupled to the upper, with the sole assembly including an outsole with a ground-contacting surface and a midsole positioned above the outsole. The midsole includes a peripheral lasting member that defines a central aperture, and a cushioning member positioned at least above the peripheral lasting member. In some embodiments, the footwear further includes a heel and the midsole includes a heel strike projection that engages the heel. In some embodiments, the midsole further includes a shank. In some embodiments, the cushioning member defines the optional heel strike projection, and in other embodiments, the optional shank defines the optional heel strike projection. In some embodiments, the footwear includes a spur support.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe sole having kinematic properties on the basis of conventional materials (leather, rubber, EVA) or any desired combination of these materials in a single-layer or multilayer structure which do not block, but rather promote the natural rolling characteristics of the foot. In accordance with the invention, a shoe is equally proposed having a shoe sole of this type.

Abstract: An article of footwear including an upper formed of a flexible upper material and a sole formed of a flexible sole material, wherein the sole is rolled, folded, or collapsed onto itself to reduce the volume of the article of footwear. The article of footwear in a collapsed state can then be packaged in a container. This container can be dispensed by a vending machine in a convenient urban area.

Abstract: Footwear including a flexible sole having a series of flexure zones positioned to correspond to primary joint axes of the human foot approximating the characteristics of a bare foot in motion.

Abstract: A simplified energy-return shoe system includes an energy-return shoe system is disclosed including a shoe portion for containing a user's foot with an upper sole having an upper toe sole area and an upper heel sole area. The upper sole is affixed to a bottom surface of the shoe portion and the upper sole is bendable at a point between the upper toe sole area and the upper heel sole area. A lower sole has a lower toe sole area and a lower heel sole area. The lower sole is bendable at a point between the lower toe sole area and the lower heel sole area. A heel suspension mechanism links the upper heel sole area to the lower heel sole area whereas the upper heel sole area is held in a parallel relationship to the lower heel sole area and the upper heel sole is allowed to move backwards in relationship to the lower heel sole. A device such as a spring is provided for pushing the upper heel sole area away from the lower heel sole area.

Abstract: An article of footwear including an upper overlaying an outer bottom assembly, such assembly including, in the area of the heel, at least two support blocks made of a damping/shock-absorbing material and arranged on respective ones of the lateral and medial sides of the bottom assembly. Each of the support blocks extends vertically, substantially from the upper end to the lower end of the bottom assembly, the support blocks being deformable substantially independently of one another. Further, the outer bottom assembly includes an elastically deformable element that includes an upper portion that extends transversely relative to the bottom assembly and covers the upper end of each of the support elements, as well as at least two legs which extend laterally and medially, respectively, and externally cover respective ones of the support elements, substantially over their entire heights.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe chassis. In one embodiment the present invention is a shoe chassis including a board with a first end and a second end, the board having a portion defining a first hole at the second end. The shoe chassis also includes a stabilizing unit beneath the board and a pod beneath the stabilizing unit. A flexible membrane is positioned within the first hole to allow the heel to flex past or through the first hole and compress a cushioning material located within the pod and positioned under the flexible membrane.

Abstract: An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a midsole and an outsole. The midsole has an upper surface and an opposite lower surface. The upper surface defines a plurality of depressions, and the lower surface defines a plurality of indentations extending toward the depressions. The outsole forms projections that extend into the indentations of the midsole, and the outsole has grooves located opposite the projections.

Abstract: A shoe having a toe region, a middle region, a heel region, and a multi-layer, multi-density midsole wherein an upper layer of the midsole has a bottom surface that has a longitudinal convexity and a longitudinal concavity, the longitudinal convexity typically occupying a substantial portion of the toe region or a substantial portion of the toe region and middle region, and the longitudinal concavity typically occupying a substantial portion of the heel region, the longitudinal convexity and the longitudinal concavity collectively contributing to simulating the effect, and imparting the fitness benefits, of walking on a sandy beach or on a giving or uneven surface regardless of the actual hardness of the surface.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a torsion system constructed of a material and configured to allow, in a pre-selected manner, rotation of a forefoot portion of the article of footwear relative to a rearfoot portion of the article of footwear about a longitudinal axis of the article while substantially precluding bending in an intermediate portion thereof.

Abstract: An energy-return shoe system includes a shoe portion with an upper plate affixed to its bottom surface. A shaft runs longitudinally along a lower sole and the shaft is rotatable along its axis. Hinges interface between the upper plate and the shaft. At least two of the hinges close in a first direction and at least one of the hinges close in the opposite direction. Each of the hinges has a first hinge arm connected to a second hinge arm by a middle pivot. A distal end of the first hinge arm is pivotally connected to the upper plate and a distal end of the second hinge arm is pivotally connected to the shaft.

Abstract: An energy-return shoe system includes a shoe portion for containing a foot, with an upper sole on a bottom surface of the shoe part. The upper sole has an upper toe sole area and an upper heel sole area. The upper sole is capable of bending at a point between the upper toe sole area and the upper heel sole area. A lower sole has a lower toe sole area and a lower heel sole area, also capable of bending at a point between the lower toe sole area and the lower heel sole area. A compressible heel mechanism interfaces the upper heel sole area to the lower heel sole area so that the upper heel sole area is held parallel to the lower heel sole area and the upper heel sole area is held in a same horizontal position with respect to the lower heel sole area. A spring pushes the upper heel sole area away from the lower heel sole area, thereby absorbing energy upon impact and releasing the energy on step-off.

Abstract: An energy-return shoe system includes a shoe portion for containing a user's foot, an upper sole with an upper toe sole area and an upper heel sole area, the upper sole affixed to a bottom surface of the shoe portion and the upper sole capable of bending at a point between the upper toe sole area and the upper heel sole area. A lower sole has a lower toe sole area and a lower heel sole area; the lower sole is also capable of bending at a point between the lower toe sole area and the lower heel sole area. The upper toe sole area is linked to the lower toe sole area by linkages that hold the upper toe sole area is held parallel to the lower toe sole area. The upper heel sole area is linked to the lower heel sole area by linkages that hold the upper heel sole area is held parallel to the lower heel sole area and the upper heel sole area is held in a same horizontal position with respect to the lower heel sole area.

Abstract: A shoe having a toe region, a middle region, a heel region, and a multi-layer, multi-density midsole; the midsole being comprised of at least a shank and a lower layer; the bottom surface of the shank having at least one longitudinal concavity and at least one longitudinal convexity, the longitudinal concavity typically occupying a substantial portion of the heel region and the longitudinal convexity typically occupying a portion of the middle region. Collectively, these elements contribute to making the shoe appropriate for both walking and higher impact activities such as running, and simulating the effect, and imparting the fitness benefits, of use on a sandy beach or on a giving or uneven surface regardless of the actual hardness of the surface.

Abstract: A shoe having a toe region, a middle region, a heel region, and a multi-layer, multi-density midsole wherein an upper layer of the midsole has a bottom surface that has a longitudinal convexity and a longitudinal concavity, the longitudinal convexity typically occupying a substantial portion of the toe region or a substantial portion of the toe region and middle region, and the longitudinal concavity typically occupying a substantial portion of the heel region, the longitudinal convexity and the longitudinal concavity collectively contributing to simulating the effect, and imparting the fitness benefits, of walking on a sandy beach or on a giving or uneven surface regardless of the actual hardness of the surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shock absorbing device for a shoe sole in a rear foot part which can restrain the inclination of the foot toward the medial side while absorbing the shock of landing on the lateral side of the foot. A shock absorbing device for a shoe sole in a rear foot part according to the present invention, includes: a support element M; deformation elements 3 disposed below the support element, the deformation elements deforming to be compressed vertically at landing; and outer sole elements 2 contacting a ground at landing, each outer sole element being joined to a bottom surface of the respective deformation element. Both the deformation elements 3 and the outer sole elements 2 are substantially separated in a medial-lateral direction in the rear foot part to be arranged at least three regions of the rear foot part. A quotient obtained by dividing an area of a bottom surface of the support element M by an area of bottom surfaces of the outer sole elements 2 is set at about 1.