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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.

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 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: 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: 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 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.