Abstract: A shoe, e.g. for dance or athletics, having a split sole, with a front portion at the front of the foot, a rear portion beneath the rear of the foot and no sole beneath the mid-section of the shoe upper at the mid-section of the foot, beneath the arch. To help support the foot and prevent sag of the mid-section of the shoe upper, a band of flexible, but non-stretchable, fabric is stitched inside the shoe upper to extend from the bottom of the shoe upper, up the sides of the shoe upper, to the top of the shoe upper. The stitched in material supports the mid-section of the bottom of the shoe upper against sagging, while permitting the foot to be flexed. If the shoe has a split top side of the upper and is closed or laced, the closing of the top of the shoe upper pulls up on the band.

Abstract: A multiple-part foot-support sole having a cork support with a thickness that is minimal under a heel and under a ball of the wearer's foot. A wedge is arranged under the foot support so that a front edge of the wedge lies approximately under the ball of the wearer's foot and encloses an angle between 75 and 80.degree. relative to the longitudinal center line of the sole. The wedge has a substantially flat upper and lower side and is made of a lightweight and flexible material. An outsole is provided under the wedge in the cork foot support so as to be sharply raised in a toe region of the sole while the cork foot support is only slightly curved in the toe region.

Abstract: A footwear sole comprises a foot-shaped sole of a relatively cushioned, low density polymer foam, with a higher density, harder midfoot shank portion integrally fused within it. The sole may be a unitary footwear sole or may have an outsole or insole adhered thereto. A method of manufacture of the sole comprises forming a polymer foam sole piece, stamping out a portion of the midfoot, forming a shank of higher hardness polymer foam to fit the stamped-out midfoot portion of the sole piece, fitting the shank into the sole piece, and hot compression molding the sole piece and shank to form a unitary, integral sole. The sole of the invention is particularly useful as a sandal sole.

Abstract: A shock absorbent shoe includes an outsole having a toe, a heel, and a cavity in the heel. An elastomeric shock absorbing plug is disposed within the heel cavity and includes a planar lower surface and an upper surface. The upper surface of the plug includes a raised central portion, an outer boundary, and an annular depression separating the raised central portions from the outer boundary. The shoe is divided into a number of shock absorbing zones, with each of zones including one or more shock absorbing layers or components.

Abstract: Footwear intended primarily for outdoor use, wherein a variety of ground conditions are likely to be encountered, has a sole with traction elements inspired by the hoof of a mountain goat. In several embodiments, an interior region of the sole is provided with a plurality of pairs of relatively soft protruding pods, while a perimetric region surrounding the interior region includes a plurality of relatively hard lugs provided on opposite sides of the pod pairs. The pods extend downwardly below the lugs such that they will make initial ground contact and compress. The compression cushions initial impact and increases the area of ground contact to improve traction on firm smooth surfaces. The compression also brings the lugs into ground engagement, following initial contact, to improve stability and traction on irregular and soft ground surfaces. Other embodiments of the invention implement similar principles, in soles having a more conventional (less goat hoof-like) appearance.

Abstract: A cycling shoe includes an external frame for supporting the upper, the frame having a forefoot portion, a heel portion and a bottom member connecting the heel and forefoot portions, having torsional flexibility, the heel portion being axially rotatable relative to the forefoot portion responsive to vertical out of plane movement of the cyclist's leg, a medial side member extending between the forefoot portion and the heel portion, a lateral side member extending between the forefoot portion and the heel portion, and having a resistance to horizontal and vertical displacements of the heel portion relative to the forefoot portion.

Abstract: A high-traction sole unit, including a rubber tread and a series of more or less rigid lattice inserts, which are separated among them by cavities and each of them is composed of undulated elements and a series of inverted T-shaped transverse ribs, the axes of which are perpendicular, at the points of relative intersection, to an S-shaped curved line extending from the heel to the toe of the sole unit; the lattice inserts are joined together by rubber or elastomeric elements, which are constituted by the same material that constitutes the tread or the wedge of the footwear. To usefully lighten the structure, further ribs of rubber are provided, differing from each other in shape and dimensions, which are suitably located within concavities in the inserts; finally the lattice inserts can be constructed of different materials, such as carbon fiber or fiber-filled plastic material or metal materials.

Abstract: An outsole including a base member, an insert member and a member for attaching a blade chassis to the insert member. The base member includes an outer surface, a ball region and a heel region. The insert member is integrally molded with at least a portion of the outer surface of the base member.

Abstract: A shoe includes a rear sole support for receiving a replaceable rear sole to provide longer wear. The shoe may also include a flexible plate supported by the rear sole support between the heel and the rear sole to reduce midsole compression and provide additional spring. A mounting member secures the rear sole to the rear sole support, and a locking member prevents rotation of the rear sole relative to the rear sole support during use. The replaceable rear sole and the flexible plate allow the shoe to be adapted to different desired performance characteristics depending upon the intended activity and terrain or playing surface.

Abstract: Footwear comprising a sole formed from a first resilient material for attenuating the shock of impact to a wearer during running or walking, and a second material harder than the first material for providing firm support for a foot. The sole has heel, arch and toe sections, each of which have medial and lateral regions. The sole also has a forefoot section having a first region for supporting the first, second, third, fourth and fifth metatarsal heads of the foot, associated phalanges and metatarsal phalangeal joints, and the metatarsal necks associated with the fourth and fifth metatarsal heads, and a second region for supporting the metatarsal necks associated with the second and third metatarsal heads.

Abstract: A footwear heel stabilizing construction comprising an upper portion, a midsole fitted to said upper and having a heel cushion portion in said midsole, said heel cushion embraced in a frame in which the frame has a series of cushion retaining finger elements surrounding said cushion to retain said cushion in a configuration presented to the bottom of said footwear upper portion, and an outsole secured to said midsole to provide a walking surface for the footwear.

Abstract: A midsole construction includes a midsole sheet with toe and heel portions. An elastomeric resilient shock-absorbing block is embedded in the heel portion, and has a density higher than and is more rigid than the midsole sheet. The block includes an upright resilient surrounding wall, a plurality of cavities formed within the surrounding wall, and a plurality of upright resilient interior walls which are connected to the surrounding wall to confine the cavities. Preferably, the surrounding wall is substantially cylindrical. The interior walls include interior circular walls formed within the surrounding wall, and radial walls extending between the interior circular walls and the surrounding wall for enhanced provide great resilient and shock-absorbing effects.

Abstract: A working boot designed such that the bottom of the foot of a wearer will be completely shielded by a metal sole yet still be capable of full, free movement. The shoe sole structure hinges a forward sole section to a rear sole section such that the straight hinge line passes below the lowest points of the first and fifth metatarsal heads of the foot of a wearer. It was found that, in order for a completely flat sole to work, the horizontal length of the hinge must be equal to the vertical thickness of the sole sections.

Abstract: Footwear intended primarily for outdoor use, wherein a variety of ground conditions are likely to be encountered, has a sole with traction elements inspired by the hoof of a mountain goat. In several embodiments, an interior region of the sole is provided with a plurality of pairs of relatively soft protruding pods, while a perimetric region surrounding the interior region includes a plurality of relatively hard lugs provided on opposite sides of the pod pairs. The pods extend downwardly below the lugs such that they will make initial ground contact and compress. The compression cushions initial impact and increases the area of ground contact to improve traction on firm smooth surfaces. The compression also brings the lugs into ground engagement, following initial contact, to improve stability and traction on irregular and soft ground surfaces. Other embodiments of the invention implement similar principles, in soles having a more conventional (less goat hoof-like) appearance.

Abstract: An outsole associated with the bottom surface of a boot upper including a base member, front and rear raised regions and a member for attaching the blade chassis to the base member. The base member includes an outer surface, a ball region and a heel region, as well as, a first and a second rigid layer. The second rigid layer overlies a portion of the first rigid layer. The first and second rigid layers extend into the front raised region and the rear raised region.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials chemically bonded together is disclosed. In one embodiment, the relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials are arranged in such a fashion to impart flexibility to the article of footwear. In particular, plastic and rubber materials are bonded together to improve the flexibility of an outsole of an article of footwear. The invention also is directed to the fabrication of new or improved devices and elements for use in articles of footwear and their associated methods of construction such as closure mechanisms comprising relatively elastic straps bonded to relatively inelastic anchor portions and vice versa, articulating inelastic and elastic exoskeleton constructions useful in skates and ski boots, and elastic or inelastic eyelets surrounded by inelastic or elastic materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sole, especially for a sport bdot, adapted to sports that require a foot movement or to gliding sports. The sole, especially an external sole, is constituted by a front part and a rear part. The rear part covers at least the base of the heel zone and is rigid and substantially non-flexible. Preferably, the rear part extends substantially up to the so-called metatarsophalangeal bending zone. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a sole, especially a sole such as described hereinabove. In addition, it relates to a boot having a sole such as described hereinabove.

Abstract: The invention provides a shoe having a built-in wear-indicator device capable of signalling (a) extent of shoe wear, (b) biomechanical compatibility with the user, (c) loss of the ability to cushion and absorb shock, and (d) a need for shoe replacement. The built-in wear-indicator device is positioned within the midsole and/or outsole and must be made of a material that is less compactible than the surrounding bulk midsole material that functions conventionally to cushion and absorb shock. With prolonged wear the midsole material loses its ability to absorb shock and compacts in the vertical dimension. In contrast, the wear-indicator device, being less compactible than the midsole, continues to protrude into the outsole in response to downward forces exerted on the indicator device. The degree of extension of the wear-indicator device into the outsole is an indicator of loss of ability to cushion and absorb shock and, consequently, of a need for shoe replacement.

Abstract: A shoe having a resilient sole, an upper secured to the sole, and a rockable member within a cavity in the sole. The rockable member is configured for side-to-side rocking in the sole cavity between a neutral position and a tilted position as the wearer's foot is moved relative to the sole between a neutral position and a tilted position.

Abstract: An indoor exercise shoe which is lightweight and has an improved traction feature. The outsole of the shoe includes a primary midfoot element positioned to underlie the arch of the foot. Traction inserts of high traction material are mounted in openings in the primary midfoot element. The traction inserts project outwardly from the midfoot element for engaging and gripping a surface, such as the pedal of a stationary bicycle, under conditions when the midfoot region of the outsole is relied upon for traction.

Abstract: A sole core formed in the shape of a strip is disposed longitudinally along a central portion of the sole and functions as an axis of rotation with torsional flexibility. More specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, a sole for a snowboard boot includes a middle sole core member extending with the sole along a longitudinal center core line (T), wherein a left edge the middle sole core member is spaced apart from a left lateral edge of the sole, and wherein a right edge of the middle sole core member is spaced apart from a right lateral edge of the sole. If desired, the center core line (T) may be inclined relative to the longitudinal centerline of the boot. Separate or connected left and right sole core members may be formed on the left and right sides of the middle sole core member, respectively.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials chemically bonded together is disclosed. In one embodiment, the relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials are arranged in such a fashion to impart flexibility to the article of footwear. In particular, plastic and rubber materials are bonded together to improve the flexibility of an outsole of an article of footwear. The invention also is directed to the fabrication of new or improved devices and elements for use in articles of footwear and their associated methods of construction such as closure mechanisms comprising relatively elastic straps bonded to relatively inelastic anchor portions and vice versa, articulating inelastic and elastic exoskeleton constructions useful in skates and ski boots, and elastic or inelastic eyelets surrounded by inelastic or elastic materials.

Abstract: Footwear, in particular sports footwear, which includes a vamp associated with a substantially flat foot-supporting lower part or sole unit. This latter comprises at least one portion formed of woven composite material having a part positioned in correspondence with the metatarsal region of the user's foot and a part positioned corresponding with the arch region of the user's foot, wherein the part of the portion present in the metatarsal region is flexible and enables the sole unit to flex during the use of the footwear and wherein part of the portion present in the plantar arch region is rigid.

Abstract: A shoe includes a heel support for receiving a rotatable and replaceable rear sole to provide longer wear. The shoe may also include a graphite insert supported by the heel support between the heel and the rear sole to reduce midsole compression and provide additional spring. The replaceable rear sole and the graphite insert allow the shoe to be adapted to different desired performance characteristics depending upon the intended activity and terrain or playing surface.

Abstract: A shoe sole which enables the Aori movement of a foot to be readily performed is obtained. According to the invention, the shoe sole is formed of a toe portion 10 and a main portion 20. Toe portion 10 has one upper surface F (first upper surface) and one bottom surface portion (first bottom surface portion). Main portion 20 has one upper plane E (second upper plane), and three bottom surface portions B, C and D (second, third and fourth bottom surface portion). The thickness (t2) of a portion on the lateral side of bottom surface portion C of main portion 20 is formed smaller than the thickness (t1) of a portion on the medial side. Bottom plane C (third bottom surface portion) permits a foot to supinate in a natural manner in dorsiflexial position when the third bottom surface portion touches the plane of walking.

Abstract: A shoe cushioning system having a thin midsole, a first forefoot element, a second forefoot element and a heel element is described. The first forefoot element is connected to the midsole near the front of the forefoot region, the second forefoot element is connected to the midsole near the rear of the forefoot region, and the heel element is connected to the midsole in the heel region. The first and second forefoot elements are separated by a flex zone. The first forefoot element, second forefoot element and heel element each comprise an elastically deformable cushion with substantially planar top and bottom sides, and an attached cap structure. The first forefoot element may have a curved front edge and a substantially linear rear edge, wherein the curved front edge approximately follows the curved line defined by the metatarsal heads of the metatarsus bones of the foot.

Abstract: Footwear comprising a sole formed from a first resilient material for attenuating the shock of impact to a wearer during running or walking, and a second material harder than the first material for providing firm support for a foot. The sole has heel, arch and toe sections, each of which have medial and lateral regions. The sole also has a forefoot section having a first region for supporting the first, second, third, fourth and fifth metatarsal heads of the foot, associated phalanges and metatarsal phalangeal joints, and the metatarsal necks associated with the fourth and fifth metatarsal heads, and a second region for supporting the metatarsal necks associated with the second and third metatarsal heads.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials chemically bonded together is disclosed. In one embodiment, the relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials are arranged in such a fashion to impart flexibility to the article of footwear. In particular, plastic and rubber materials are bonded together to improve the flexibility of an outsole of an article of footwear. The invention also is directed to the fabrication of new or improved devices and elements for use in articles of footwear and their associated methods of construction such as closure mechanisms comprising relatively elastic straps bonded to relatively inelastic anchor portions and vice versa, articulating inelastic and elastic exoskeleton constructions useful in skates and ski boots, and elastic or inelastic eyelets surrounded by inelastic or elastic materials.

Abstract: An athletic shoe having a spring cushioned midsole assembly which is advantageous from a combined stability and impact absorption/energy dissipation standpoint. A preferred form of the invention includes a spring foam midsole unit having plural spaced projections in forefoot and heel regions, with an additional spring foam heel unit having projections facing the projections of the heel portion of the midsole unit. In addition, the central region of the midsole unit is substantially flat to provide sufficient support and stability, while also providing advantageous impact/force absorption and energy dissipation in the front and heel regions of the shoe. By providing spaced projections, in combination with a modulator or base portion having a substantial thickness, the projections can act independently with respect to one another and can interact with the modulator portion to provide an advantageous stable cushioning effect.

Abstract: A footwear outsole assembly including an outsole body, a pair of cleated windows, and a pair of cushioning inserts on top of the windows. The cleated windows form a portion of the outsole wear surface. Each insert is visible through the corresponding cleated window. The cleated windows extend below the outsole body so that impact forces are absorbed by the windows and inserts.

Abstract: Footware is made such that a thickness of a heel region from a sole upper surface to the ground is thinner at a backward portion than at a forward portion, whereby a line connecting a position on a lower surface of the sole under the head of the second metatarsus to a front end on a lower surface of the heel region of the sole is lifted at an angle with a horizontal line connecting a grounded rear end on the lower surface of the heel region to a front end thereof in a state where a weight is loaded to the human heel, and the backward portion of the heel region comprises an impact absorbing mechanism, whereby a level of the human heel which is in contact with a foot is depressed when loaded. Thus, the footwear protects a knee joint of a patient suffering from the osteoarthritis of the knee and enables them to easily walk.

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

Abstract: A method of forming a shoe sole having a co-molded anti-skid insert is provided. Raw unvulcanized rubber sheet material for the insert, and raw unvulcanized rubber sheet material for the main portion of the sole are placed in a mold and heated to fuse them together, to vulcanize the rubber, and to produce an anti-skid pattern on the insert. The material of the insert is preferably substantially the same as that of the main portion of the sole, except for its color; however, it has the appearance and texture of a separate insert.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials chemically bonded together is disclosed. In one embodiment, the relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials are arranged in such a fashion to impart flexibility to the article of footwear. In particular, plastic and rubber materials are bonded together to improve the flexibility of an outsole of an article of footwear. The invention also is directed to the fabrication of new or improved devices and elements for use in articles of footwear and their associated methods of construction such as closure mechanisms comprising relatively elastic straps bonded to relatively inelastic anchor portions and vice versa, articulating inelastic and elastic exoskeleton constructions useful in skates and ski boots, and elastic or inelastic eyelets surrounded by inelastic or elastic materials.

Abstract: A dancer's shoe, slipper or the like having a stiff sole comprised of split front and rear soles separated at the arch. To enable the dancer to stand on pointe, the front sole is "cup" shaped with a generally "C" shaped cross-section. The upstanding wall of the front sole is attached to the sides and may extend up the front of the shoe box. This enables the front sole to bend upward around an axis across the foot when the foot bends but prevents the front sole from bending downward around such an axis which enables the dancer to stand on pointe on the tip of the shoe. The wall may be notched to facilitate bending at a particular location. There may be a rear sole spaced from the front sole behind the arch. To stiffen the shoe body, a toe box is provided in the front portion of the shoe upper.

Abstract: A sculptured sole for athletic footwear includes a base having a plurality of forward support pads which underlie the toes of a wearer's foot and a plurality of rearward support lands which underlie the metatarsals in the ball area of the wearer's foot, a layer of flexible resilient elastic material attached on either of the opposite top or bottom sides of the base and aligned with the forward support pads and rearward support lands, and a plurality of plates and caps which are attached to the layer of elastic material and aligned with the respective support pads and support lands.

Abstract: A highly flexible item of sports footwear in which the bottom of the toe portion of the upper and the toe portion of the sole member define a free space in the form of a wedge-shaped gap which is sealed by a bellows extending around the periphery of the toe portion of the upper. The toe portion of the sole member has a unidirectional articulation enabling displacement of the toe portion of the sole member upwardly out of coplanarity with the plantar articulation portion of the sole member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of composite material formed from a vulcanized elastomer, containing carboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid anhydride groups, in combination with a thermoplastic elastomer containing polyamide blocks, which comprises vulcanizing an elastomer composition comprising said vulcanizable elastomer, a crosslinking system and, optionally, diverse adjuvants in a mold, one part of which is occupied by said thermoplastic elastomer containing polyamide blocks, the vulcanization temperature being between -15.degree. C. and +5.degree. C. with respect to the Vicat point of said thermoplastic elastomer containing polyamide blocks, the elastomer composition and the vulcanization kinetics being such that the material shows cohesive failure when subjected to stress for separation of the two elastomers.This process leads to composite materials which have excellent properties, in particular in respect of tensile strength (cohesive failure).

Abstract: An improved athletic shoe sole with rotatable and replaceable rear soles and replaceable cleats to provide the user with longer wear. The invention also provides the user with the ability to quickly and easily adapt the sole to different desired performance characteristics depending upon the intended activity and terrain or playing surface.

Abstract: An athletic shoe with a force responsive sole includes a first sole portion (110) having a multiplicity of projecting cleats (20), a second sole portion (12) with corresponding apertures (22) to receive the cleats (20). In one embodiment, a resilient membrane (14) is positioned between the sole portions and normally covers the apertures (22) so as to hold the cleats (20) separated from the apertures (22) in a rest position. A correspondingly apertured guide plate (15) is provided between the first sole portion (10) and the membrane (14) in the apertures (26) of which the cleats (20) are positioned to restrict transverse relative movement of the two sole portions (10, 12) and to maintain the cleats (20) in alignment with the apertures (22).

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

Abstract: A unique shoe is provided to improve a walker's power, posture and speed, such shoe combining the advantages of a forwardly-inclined heel with the advantages of an arcuately tapered toe. The shoe includes an upper which carries the wearer's foot, and a sole which supports the foot from below. The sole is formed with two portions, a generally wedge-shaped rear portion which extends from an area beneath the wearer's heel to an area beneath the ball of the wearer's foot, and an arcuate forward portion which extends forwardly from the area beneath the ball of the wearer's foot to the forward terminus of the shoe. The rear portion increases linearly in thickness in the forward direction, the sole's overall thickness being correspondingly increased. The forward portion is of forwardly decreasing thickness, the sole tapering arcuately to forward termination of the shoe.

Abstract: Footware is made such that a thickness of a heel region from a sole upper surface to the ground is thinner at a backward portion than at a forward portion, whereby a line connecting a position on a lower surface of the sole under the head of the second metatarsus to a front end on a lower surface of the heel region of the sole is lifted at an angle with a horizontal line connecting a grounded rear, and on the lower surface of the heel region to a front end thereof in a state where a weight is loaded-to the human heel, and the backward portion of the heel region comprises an impact absorbing mechanism, whereby a level of the human heel which is in contact with a foot is depressed when loaded. Thus, the footwear protects a knee joint of a patient suffering from the osteoarthritis of the knee and enables them to easily walk.

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

Abstract: A flexible ski boot includes a divided rigid sole and a flexible hard boot body, the sole being divided into a rigid thick toe portion and a rigid thick heel portion. The boot body is composed of a hard toe portion, a soft flexible connecting portion and a hard heel portion which is, respectively, united or joined with the divided rigid sole. The divided rigid sole is connected, respectively, through a hinge between the toe portion and the heel portion so that the rigid ski boot can be bent at the soft elastic portion of the boot body for easier walking. The toe portion of the sole includes inwardly an elastic locking mechanism to lock elastically the hinge between the heel portion and permits the sole to be maintained evenly and to hold a suitable slouch during a descent, when the flexible ski boot is set into a binding, for safe skiing. The rear end of the sole is cut out diagonally as an additional aid for easier walking.

Abstract: A composite shoe bottom is disclosed comprising a lower layer of firm material and an upper softer layer superposed thereon. Each layer has an upper contoured surface such that the total compressibility of the shoe bottom, as determined by the relative thicknesses of the layers, is predetermined and differs along the surface. The upper layer has an uppermost surface which is shaped to fit against and be complemental to the bottom of the foot of a wearer.

Abstract: A shoe includes a heel support for receiving a rotatable and replaceable rear sole to provide longer wear. The shoe may also include a graphite insert supported by the heel support between the heel and the rear sole to reduce midsole compression and provide additional spring. The replaceable rear sole and the graphite insert allow the shoe to be adapted to different desired performance characteristics depending upon the intended activity and terrain or playing surface.

Abstract: A construction for a shoe, particularly an athletic shoe such as a running shoe, includes a sole that conforms to the natural shape of the foot, particularly the sides, and that has a constant thickness in frontal plane cross sections. The thickness of the shoe sole side contour equals and therefore varies exactly as the thickness of the load-bearing sole portion varies due to heel lift, for example. Thus, the outer contour of the edge portion of the sole has at least a portion which lies along a theoretically ideal stability plane for providing natural stability and efficient motion of the shoe and foot particularly in an inverted and everted mode.

Abstract: A shoe upper is divided into front and back parts which are hinged together at the shoe sole. The hinge may comprise a creased part of the sole or a mechanical hinge. The parts are held in either an open position or a closed position by a tension spring or a rigid element. The spring and element are pivotally secured to the shoe sole so that their longitudinal axis will be above and extend across the rotational axis of the hinge when the shoe is flat. Additionally, the distance between their points of connection will be less than the corresponding length of sole between said points. This will provide a low stress open position and a higher stress closed position. The stress is created by tension in the spring or by the inherent resilience of the shoe sole counteracting the compression force caused by drawing together the points of connection when a user steps into the shoe.

Abstract: The outsole comprises rigid plates in plastic material which plates are bonded to a sole body in an abrasion-resistant plastic material, projections such as studs being joined to the plates and dampening cushions traversing the sole body and extending between the plates.