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 an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly has a shell having a first hardness and a recess. A lateral side of the recess has a first depth and a medial side of the recess has a second depth that is different than the first depth. A first aperture extends through a forefoot portion of the shell, with the first aperture defining a first tongue fixed on a medial side thereof with a remainder of the first tongue free to flex with respect to the shell. An insert has a second hardness and is seated in the recess. A lateral side of the insert has a first height and a medial side of the insert has a second height that is different than the first height, with the second hardness being different than the first hardness.

Abstract: An article of footwear having an upper and an outer bottom assembly, the outer bottom assembly having an outsole and, in the heel zone, an elastically deformable element that extends downward from the lower end of the upper to the medial, lateral edges, respectively, of the outsole.

Abstract: Provided is a method and an apparatus for controlling a write parameter according to a voltage variation. The method for controlling the write parameter includes monitoring a voltage supplied to a pre-amplifier before performing a write operation and adjusting the write parameter supplied to the pre-amplifier based on the monitoring result. Controlling the write parameter includes reading a predetermined write parameter from a write parameter table based on the monitoring result, and adjusting the read write parameter to the write parameter which will be supplied to the pre-amplifier.

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: The present invention relates to a rear balance walking shoe having a sole in which double earth axes are formed on the sole at a rear side with respect to the middle of the sole, and the heel and the toe of the sole are elevated from respective double earth axes and perform see-saw motions at the double earth axes serving as application points. By wearing these shoes, the center of gravity of a wearer's body is inclined backward, resulting in reduction of obesity by activating muscles of the trunk. Still further, since a wearer feels comfortable even if the wearer wears the shoes for a long time and can reduce impact transferred to the wearer's feet, an exercise effect is enhanced.

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: A sole assembly for a shoe. The sole assembly comprises an exterior sole for engaging with a ground surface with the exterior sole having an upwardly facing surface. A foot bed having an undersurface, facing the upwardly facing surface of the exterior sole, and an upwardly facing surface for supporting a foot of a wearer. At least one lug is secured to the undersurface of the foot bed to space the undersurface from the upwardly facing surface of the exterior sole.

Abstract: A stability device that increases foot security on the footbed of a shoe, provides lateral or medial stability, shock dampening, and optimizes flexibility. The stability device includes a resilient bladder insert having a horizontal sole portion underneath a wearer's foot, and a foot portion positioned along a lateral or medial side edge of a wearer's foot. The sole portion and the foot portion are in fluid communication. The stability device can be generally L-shaped to cradle a portion of the foot. The stability device can also include a plurality of finger-shaped elements that encircle the top of the foot and expand down onto the foot due to an increase in fluid pressure therein.

Abstract: Disclosed therein is a high-functional shoe having functions for a pain alleviation and prevention of degenerative gonarthritis, which can alleviate a pain in the knee joint of a person, who suffers from degenerative gonarthritis or is injured in the knee joint by an abnormal lower limb joint movement, and prevent degenerative gonarthritis by uniformly dispersing a load biasedly applied to the knee joint. The high-functional shoe includes a shoe sole having a longitudinally sectional structure of a parallelogrammic form, and is applicable to persons, who have symptoms of degenerative gonarthritis.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper having a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion, a heel portion, and a pocket positioned beneath the forefoot portion. A first midsole portion is received in the pocket. An outer sole assembly is secured to the upper. The outer sole assembly is visible from an exterior of the article of footwear and the first midsole portion is not visible from an exterior of the article of footwear.

Abstract: One embodiment in accordance with the invention is a method that comprises determining if a slider of a data storage device is to perform a read or write operation with a disk of the data storage device. If the slider is to perform the read or write operation, the slider is set at a grazing contact with the disk for a predefined time frame to perform the read or write operation. The predefined time frame is approximately how long the slider can be in grazing contact with the disk without experiencing any substantial instability. After the predefined time frame expires, the slider is caused to move out of contact with the disk.

Abstract: The present invention is further directed towards a golf shoe having an outsole comprising of forward and rear base sections that are connected and molded together with an arch support shank. The base sections are relatively soft and made from thermoplastic polyurethane having a maximum Shore A hardness of between 75 to 85. The shank is also made of thermoplastic polyurethane having a minimum hardness of at least 95 Shore A hardness. Each base section has a plurality of openings, wherein a corresponding plurality of relatively hard pods are molded, each pod of a size and configuration to fit within a corresponding opening and extend at least 6.3 mm from the bottom surfaces of the base sections. The shoe provides flexibility both across the metatarsal area and longitudinally at approximately the metatarsal area thereby providing the golfer with improved traction and balance, especially when the golfer executes a golf shot.

Abstract: A footwear sole structure for dynamically directing interacting forces between a user's foot and the footwear during a stride, including an inner sole located adjacent the user's foot, a mid-sole located between the inner sole and the footwear, and a rib ribbon force transfer structure located between the inner sole and the mid-sole wherein the rib ribbon includes a plurality of ribs spaced along and transversely to a spine axis and attached to a longitudinally extending spine. The rib ribbon resists flexing about an axis parallel to the spine axis and allows a relatively greater degree of flexing about an axis transverse to the spine axis and the rib ribbon is located along a path between the inner and mid-soles to dynamically direct the interacting forces between a user's foot and the footwear as the user's weight shifts from a heel to a toe position during a stride.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly. The sole assembly includes a central member of a first material having a first density with its medial and lateral sides having surface irregularities. A medial member extends along a medial side of the central member and beneath a portion of the central member, and has a surface irregularity configured to mate and interlock with a surface irregularity of the central member. The medial member is formed of a second material having a density greater than the first density. A lateral member extends along a lateral side of the central member and beneath a portion of the central member, and has a surface irregularity configured to mate and interlock with a surface irregularity of the central member. The lateral member is formed of a third material having a density greater than the first density.

Abstract: An athletic shoe sole construction having a suspension system designed to resiliently support a foot and deflect downwardly upon foot imposed forces is provided. The athletic shoe includes a plurality of independent supports arrayed about the periphery of the suspension system. The supports, or pillars, may include a ground engaging section and a resilient section intermediate the ground engaging section and the suspension system. The suspension system may include a deflectable grid system, or it may include other resilient deflectable materials. The pillars may be constructed and arranged to deflect independently of an adjacent pillar.

Abstract: The tap shoe with an adjustable tap assembly facilitates changing taps and can be used to alter the sound of the tap. The tap shoe with an adjustable tap assembly is a tap shoe having a toe portion and a heel, two taps, two metal spacer plates, machine screws, and nuts. The nuts are embedded in the heel and toe portion of a tap dancing shoe. The spacer plates are attached to the heel and toe portions, respectively, with adhesive and nails. Machine screws then secure the taps to the nuts in the toe portion and heel of a tap dancing shoe, being inserted through holes in the spacer plates. Self-locking nuts are used to eliminate the possibility of the machine screws vibrating loose.

Abstract: A support structure for footwear includes a longitudinally extending member to which a plurality of laterally extending supports members are secured at spaced apart locations along a length of the longitudinal member. The support structure may extend along the entire length of a footwear or may be specifically designed for the forefoot, midfoot, or hindfoot areas of a footwear. The support structure may be combined with plate-like structures or may include a plurality of longitudinally extending members. The lateral supports may extend in a generally horizontal plane or may extend in an upward or downward direction out of the horizontal plane. Furthermore, the longitudinal and lateral members may be made of different materials, or each may be made of a plurality of different materials to provide the desired characteristics of the support structure at a given location in the footwear. Different portions of the longitudinal member may be more or less flexible than the lateral supports.

Abstract: A composite shoe sole, composed of an upper layer and a lower layer, wherein the upper layer is integrally formed of a soft material and the lower layer is integrally formed of a hard material, the lower layer being formed with a notch at a location corresponding to a right side of thenar, or right-side region of phalanx, the upper layer being formed with a projection at a location corresponding to the notch, such that the upper layer and lower layer are joined to each other by means of engagement between the projection and notch to form a shoe sole having a soft upper layer with elastic and shock-absorbing effects for relieving foot pressure, and a hard lower layer for providing upward support to the soft upper layer so as to prevent cave-in, thereby providing good bottom support, elastic air cushioning and shock-absorbing effects.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for imbedding a durable outer layer of rubber in a second layer of rubber, polyurethane, or like material for use in various applications, including but not limited to shoe soles and tires. As depicted in FIG., the durable outer layer, which in the case of FIG. 4 is a shoe outsole, may comprise a plurality of lugs (2) connected with integral support bridges (3) imbedded in another rubber or rubber-like material (17). Alternatively, the durable outer layer may comprise a plurality of lugs anchored in the second layer of rubber, polyurethane or the like, using anchors, such as ribs or flanges, radiating from the perimeter of each lug.

Abstract: A composite outsole including a carbon fiber portion and a titanium portion. The titanium portion is molded to the carbon fiber portion using adhesives and the like. The titanium portion provides increased strength and ductility to allow for additional features in the outsole, such as, for example, air flow vents that increase circulation for breathability and moisture management as well as reduce drag.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe comprising an upper part and a sole, a support and inner part of an intermediate sole and an outer sole. The intermediate sole contains a damping element which comprises a plurality of first elements which are arranged adjacent to each other and which are embodied as a hollow body defining a receiving area in which an associated second element having a smaller cross-section than the first element can at least partially penetrate. The elements are coaxial. At least one part of the second elements have a prism or cylindrical form and are embodied at least partially as a massive part. Both of the elements, which are associated with each other, are connected together by means of an elastic connection section which only extends between the first element and the second element and the first element, the connecting section and the second element are embodied as a single piece.

Abstract: A field and stream boot for traversing rivers, lakes and stream beds, as well as, outdoor trails which includes; an upper construction with a hard heel, a hard toe, an ankle cup, and a metatarsus rigid panel that provide foot protection from outdoor or underwater terrain and obstacles; and an outsole construction where the outsole has peripheral intermittent tread surrounding a heel array of tungsten carbide spikes overlain with felt with the spike protruding through the felt but not below the peripheral intermittent tread, and surrounding a forefoot array of tungsten carbide spikes overlain with felt with the spikes protruding through the felt but not below the peripheral intermittent tread. The tread may be in the form of lugs, cleats or other gripping ribs or ridges.

Abstract: A visual wear indicator is disclosed capable of giving a visual indication of the degree of wear on an athletic or other type of shoe. In general, the visual wear indicator may operate by having two different colored regions, each having a viscosity which varies a function of pressure. Before pressure is applied, the boundary between the two regions is clear. However, over time, as the midsole and/or outer sole of the shoe wear away, the pressure exerted on the visual wear indicator increases during activity. As the pressure increases, the viscosity of the regions eventually decreases. When the viscosity decreases, the regions bleed together, and the boundary between the regions becomes less clear. The degree of mixture between the regions may be calibrated to give a clear visual indication of when the shoe has worn down to the point where the shoe is unable to provide a desired level of support and stress absorption.

Abstract: A shoe includes a shoe upper made of flexible material, the shoe upper including a toe region, a heel region, a foot opening at the heel region, and an arch region extending between the toe region and the heel region. A split sole is secured to a bottom of the shoe upper, the split sole including a front sole under the toe region of the shoe upper and a rear sole under the heel region of the shoe upper, the front and rear soles being spaced from one another for defining a gap between the front and rear soles that extends along the bottom of the shoe upper.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe (1), especially a sports shoe, comprising a sole (2) and a shoe upper part (3) linked therewith, the sole (2) having a receptacle (4) in which a damping element (5) is detachably arranged. The aim of the invention is to improve the cushioning and damping behavior of the shoe. According to the Invention, the receptacle (4) substantially or completely extends through the sole (2) at an angle to the longitudinal axis (L) of the shoe (1) and the detachably mounted damping element (5) is constituted of a plate-type base (6) that comprises a plurality of recesses (7) in which damping parts (8) can be disposed. The recesses (7) in the damping element (5) extend across the entire height (H) of the damping element (5) in the vertical direction (V).

Abstract: The wrestling shoe according to the present invention comprises outer soles 1F and 1B separated forward and rearward on the side of a grounding surface of the shoe. The fore and rear outer soles 1F and 1B essentially protrude downward further than an outer skin 3, thereby to support the foot in a fore foot part and a rear foot part, respectively, when landing on the ground. The fore and rear outer soles 1F and 1B are made of an outer sole material of rubber and/or resin. The outer skin 3 is formed of a laminated body where an outer surface layer 30 and a cushion layer 31 are laminated. The outer surface layer 30 is exposed in a mid foot part M and made of substantially flexible sheet-like material, and the cushion layer 31 is laminated on the inner side of the outer surface layer 30 and made of substantially flexible rubber foam or resin foam.

Abstract: A shoe suspension system for use with a shoe or boot having an upper and lower sole. The system includes a first tandem hinge pivotally engaged between the upper toe sole and the lower toe sole which opens and closes parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shoe a plurality of tandem hinges pivotally engaged between the upper mid heel sole and the lower sole which also open and close parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shoe and return springs engaged between the upper mid heel sole and the lower sole.

Abstract: A midsole includes a thick plate-shaped or column-shaped cushioning portion. A plurality of grooves is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cushioning portion. The respective grooves are helically formed around a substantially vertical line. The respective grooves are arranged substantially parallel with each other. A range ? in which each of the grooves is formed is larger than a range of 15 degrees around the axial line and is smaller than a range of 180 degrees around the axial line.

Abstract: Footwear includes an insole with at least one covered opening in the insole.

Abstract: An insert having opposed permanent magnets is placed between upper and lower portions of a shoe sole to soften impacts and improve propulsion. The upper and lower sole portions are interconnected by tongue-and-groove connections. An magnetic spring insert for the heel of a shoe is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insole for use in footwear, and is comprised of a plurality of sections that are removably or securably attachable to a bottom layer. The sections can be made of different materials to provide different types of support, e.g. rigid or shock absorbing. The sections may also have different surface characteristics, which for example grip a portion of the foot or are slick to enable the toes to move. The insole can be used to at least partially abate and/or prevent foot and related ailments commonly suffered by diabetics and others with pathologic or painful foot conditions. A kit for making an insole is also contemplated wherein a variety of insole sections are provided that have different cushioning or support features and/or different surface characteristics. The user can choose the preferred insole sections and assemble the sections onto the bottom layer, thereby constructing a customized insole.

Abstract: A midsole insert for use with a shoe is provided. The midsole insert includes a heel portion, a midfoot portion, and a forefoot portion, and a plurality of grid systems located on the midsole insert, where each grid system includes a plurality of openings cut into the midsole insert forming a lattice pattern. The plurality of grids may be located on at least one of the heel portion, the midfoot portion, and the forefoot portion, constructed to provide energy return features. The midsole may further be constructed and arranged to attach directly to an upper during a manufacturing step, to secure the shape of the upper on a last. By attaching directly to the upper, the midsole insert eliminates the need for a stroble board, which is typically used to secure the upper to the last. By eliminating the stroble board, the present invention places the midsole insert and the energy return grid system closer to the foot, which maximizes reaction time and performance.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that incorporates an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a midsole and an outsole. The midsole defines an aperture with a first sidewall, and the midsole includes an insert positioned within the aperture. The insert has a second sidewall, with at least a portion of the second sidewall being spaced from the first sidewall to define a space between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The outsole is secured to the midsole, and the outsole defines a ridge that is positioned within a lower portion of the space and between the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

Abstract: Footwear and footwear structures are provided as well as methods for forming composite components for footwear or footwear structures. In forming the structures, two material layers are overlaid such that the two material layers are in contact with one another. The two material layers are heated to a forming temperature and are then vacuum-formed together to form a composite material layer in a three-dimensional form of the footwear structure. A provided footwear structure includes an upper and a sole assembly attached to the upper. The sole assembly includes a first material layer made of a thermoplastic, and a second material layer attached to the first material layer. The first material layer includes a recessed area including a flat support portion, and is transparent or translucent. The second material layer includes a portion that is positioned on a surface of the recessed area, and a color of the second material layer indicates a location and/or a function of the second material layer.

Abstract: A sole for a boot, as well as a boot having such sole, for walking on ice and/or snow having, in at least a central zone of the walking surface, a series of strips that are contiguous at rest, and crampons at its outer periphery. Each series of strips is interrupted by channels extending both in the transverse and longitudinal directions, and each crampon has a channel for evacuating water.

Abstract: A midsole structure for an athletic shoe includes an upper midsole (3) formed of a soft elastic material, a lower midsole (4) disposed under the upper midsole (3) and formed of a soft elastic material, and a wavy plate assembly (5) interposed between the upper midsole (3) and the lower midsole (4). The wavy plate assembly (5) includes a wavy board (50) and a pair of sidewall members (51) provided discretely from the wavy board (50) and disposed on opposite Bides of the wavy board (50). Each of the sidewall members (51) includes a wavy bottom portion (51b) overlapping the wavy board (50) and an upraised portion (51a) extending upwardly from the wavy bottom portion (51b) to face a side surface of the upper midsole (3). Provision of the wavy board (50) and the sidewall members (51) discretely from each other simplifies a layout of a mold for forming the wavy plate assembly (5), thereby reducing a manufacturing cost.

Abstract: An article of footwear having an upper and an outer bottom assembly, the outer bottom assembly having an outsole and, in the heel zone, an elastically deformable element that is substantially arch-shaped in the transverse direction and extends downward from the lower end of the upper to the medial, lateral edges, respectively, of the outsole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sole and method for making the sole having a first material and a second material. The first material includes a plurality of extensions and the second material includes a plurality of sections, where each section is spaced apart from an adjacent section by at least one extension being placed between each section and each adjacent section.

Abstract: A shoe having a stabilizer frame in combination with a midsole to provide stabilizing of the shoe and the user's foot when the shoe is weighted during the gait cycle. The stabilizer frame has a plurality of downwardly convex arch shaped load stabilizer elements which are closely fitted within seats formed in the sides of the midsole. The frame and load stabilizer elements are assembled in sandwich fashion between the midsole and an insole that is mounted with an upper on the shoe.

Abstract: An athletic shoe sole for a shoe has side portions with concavely rounded inner and outer surfaces, as viewed in at least a heel area and a midtarsal area of the shoe sole. The rounded surfaces increasing at least one of lateral and medial stability of the sole. The concavely rounded portion of the sole outer surface located at the heel area extends substantially continuously through a sidemost part of the sole side. The rounded portion of the sole outer surface located at the midtarsal area extends up the sole side to at least a level corresponding to a lowest point of the sole inner surface. A midsole component of the shoe sole extends into the sidemost section of the sole side and also extends up the sole side to above a level corresponding to a lowest point of the sole inner surface. The concavely rounded portions of the sole midtarsal area are located at least at the sole lateral side.

Abstract: A heel support for an athletic shoe that in one embodiment includes a recumbent-U shaped member to assist in shock absorption. The member may include a tent-shaped wall with an upper perimeter in contact with a non-ground-engaging member.

Abstract: An insole includes a heel collar formed by a relatively hard bottom member and a softer top member, the heel collar underlying the heel and arch region and having a channel in its upper surface. A forefoot pad has a forward portion that underlies the forefoot and a rear portion that fits in the channel of the heel collar and is adhered therein. Relatively softer foam pads are disposed within recesses in the lower surface of the forefoot pad in the forefoot and heel strike areas. A footwear system can include the insole in combination with a knit sock having thick padded ball and heel portions and a thinner arch portion, and the insole has an upper surface contoured to abuttingly mate with the sock. The footwear system can also include a shoe in combination with the insole, where the shoe functions to enhance the benefits of the insole.

Abstract: A midsole includes a thick plate-shaped or column-shaped cushioning portion. A plurality of grooves is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cushioning portion. The respective grooves are helically formed around a substantially vertical line. The respective grooves are arranged substantially parallel with each other. A range ? in which each of the grooves is formed is larger than a range of 15 degrees around the axial line and is smaller than a range of 180 degrees around the axial line.

Abstract: A heel support for an athletic shoe that in one embodiment includes a recumbent-U shaped member to assist in shock absorption. The member may include a tent-shaped wall with an opening exposing the interior of the member.

Abstract: A shoe including a midsole with at least one inflated cushion and a midsole material external thereto having at least one opening through which at least a portion of the inflated cushion is exposed to and visible from outside the shoe. The external midsole material is made of a material different from that of a ground engaging portion of the outsole. The shoe includes a plate extending under a majority of the area occupied by the heel region of the upper and an arch bridge having a lower surface that is in substantial part non-ground-engaging and visible from the bottom of the shoe.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure has a concave element, a footbed, and a core. The concave element has a structure that includes a base portion and sidewalls extending upward from the base portion to define a cavity within the concave element. The footbed is secured to the sidewalls and suspended above at least a portion of the cavity. The footbed includes a plurality of beams that extend across the cavity. The beams are separated by spaces in the footbed, and the beams may be oriented parallel to each other. In this configuration, at least a portion of the beams are independently deflectable into the cavity. The core is positioned within the cavity and below the footbed, and the core may be formed of a compressible material.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed having an upper, a foot-supporting member, and a sole structure. The foot-supporting member includes a heel region located at a greater elevation than a forefoot region, thereby defining a recess under the heel region. The sole structure includes a midsole that forms a protrusion on the interior of the footwear. The protrusion mates with the recess to provide support for the heel region. The foot-supporting member may also incorporate pronation control characteristics, including a downward cant from a medial to a lateral side of the foot-supporting member and a region of reduced support generally underlying the first metatarsal. To further reduce the rate of pronation, the sole structure includes a region in the rear-lateral corner that is more compressible than other areas of the sole structure.

Abstract: A shoe including a plate capable of being deflected in a direction substantially perpendicular to the major longitudinal axis of the shoe, an arch bridge integral with the plate, and a rear sole having an outsole layer with an interior sidewall visible from beneath the shoe that connects an upper surface of the outsole layer with a lower surface of the outsole layer.

Abstract: A shoe including a plate capable of being deflected in a direction substantially perpendicular to the major longitudinal axis of the shoe, an arch bridge integral with the plate, and a rear sole having a bottom surface with a ground-engaging portion.