Abstract: A foot orthosis for correctably realigning and repositioning specific anatomic segments of the human foot consists of three functional components, namely, a heel complex segment and two longitudinal forefoot segments--namely, a medial segment and a lateral segment.The heel complex segment is independently connected to each longitudinal forefoot segment by a connector. The segments function sufficiently independently from one another to consider the device a triplanar foot orthosis.

Abstract: An improved construction of sole unit for running shoes features a longitudinally asymmetrical recess across the width of the heel area of the midsole and interchangeable inserts, differentiated by their durometer hardness, inserted to fill the recess, such that the shock absorption characteristics of the midsole can be suited to the user and the running surface and any tendency to over-pronation can be corrected, a larger anti-pronation insert being provided for insertion on the inner side of the heel and a smaller anti-supination insert being provided for insertion on the outer side of the heel and the two inserts being arranged to interlock with each other.

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

Abstract: An inner sole-like base plate is provided of stiffly flexible material provided with a grid of a multiplicity of mounting sites, e.g. small holes. A plurality of different podiatric appliances are provided, each in a range of graduated sizes or intensities and/or in an adjustable manner. Each of the appliances is provided with securement devices, such as two or more wire tabs, which extend from the appliance and are adapted for connection to the base plate at such of the mounting sites as are prescribed or otherwise determined to best suit the resulting construction to the individual wearer. In some instances the resulting construction is meant to be worn as an insert for conventional footwear or orthopedic footwear, and in other instances sandal-fashion either by itself or inside or outside a wearer's socks, possibly then enclosed in a shoe or other covering. Some of the appliances are adapted to be worn on the foot without a base plate.

Abstract: A flexible strip divides a shoe sole into toe and instep sections. Toe deflection means lifts the toe section when the shoe is in a weighted state. Toe deflection means includes a toe plate coupled to the toe section of the sole and an instep plate coupled to the instep section of the sole. The toe deflection means pivots the toe section of the sole about the flexible strip by applying bending forces to the toe and instep sections of the sole.

Abstract: A process and configuration for constructing the lower part of a spikeless type athletic shoe having molded studs on its undersurface to improve its wear-resistance is disclosed wherein portions of the sole and heel are premolded of an extra-durable material, such as high carbon content rubber, and then disposed partly cured in the shoe master mold at selected locations for molding and curing with the remainder of the sole and heel to produce a lower construction of conventional rubber molded with underface portions of extra-durability at the selected areas of greatest wear.

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

Abstract: A slipper including an upper defining a cover for substantially encompassing a foot which is formed at least partially of elastomeric material, and a sole divided into discrete, spaced fore and aft sections secured to a base portion of the cover.

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

Abstract: An athletic shoe for track and field use, especially a running shoe, is formed in such a way that a flexible running sole is provided only in the area of its running surface and, thus, largely does not exist in the area of the longitudinal arch of the foot, and from the arch area to the heel, the running sole is rendered resistant to distortion by a reinforcement plate. Additionally, in the area of the longitudinal arch of the foot, the running sole has a supporting wall directed diagonally upward toward the inside of the foot that is fitted to the arch of the foot. Thus, a shoe for track and field use is obtained that is extremely light in weight, has high resistance to distortion and supports the foot well.

Abstract: A pair of soles for sport shoes having a dividing line between the heel and toe dividing the soles into inner and outer portions. The inner portion of the first sole along with the outer portion of the second sole having shallow recesses in a substantially smooth surface, while the outer portion of the first shoe and the inner portion of the second shoe having a plurality of stud-like projections.

Abstract: The sole for shoes comprises at least a substantially rigid rear portion and a flexible front portion connected with said rear portion approximately at the area of the ball of the foot. One of said both portions, preferably the rear portion, consists of a material having a cell structure, the cells of this portion being at least partially opened at the connecting surface with the other portion. This other portion, preferably the front portion, is formed of a synthetic plastics material being connected with said first portion by foaming thereto. Suitably the portion foamed onto the other portion consists of polyurethane.

Abstract: A running shoe sole having a relatively thin outer sole layer of hard, wear-resistant material, a midsole layer resilient cushioning material and a heel sole layer, provided between the outer sole and midsole layers along approximately the rear half of the sole. In accordance with preferred embodiments, an outer, longitudinally extending portion of the heel sole layer spans approximately 2/3 of the width of the heel sole layer and is formed of a resilient cushioning material, while an inner portion spanning approximately the remaining 1/3 of the width of the sole layer is formed of a material that is of a hardness of approximately 10-20 shore durometer greater than that of the outer portion of the heel sole layer. This construction of the heel sole layer enables cushioning of the foot during lateral heel strikes occurring during running to be provided by the outer portion of the heel while the inner portion is able to act in a manner which limits pronation occurring thereafter.

Abstract: A shoe slipper cover has an inexpensive top plastic shell and a bottom friction pad structure which includes a plurality of relatively thin friction fibrous pads mounted in telescoped and overlapping relationship. A bottom plastic sole member is secured abutting the upper surface of the pads to define a protective inner sole. The edges of the shell and inner sole are sewn to each other and to the pads which project upwardly therebetween. The multiple pads in overlapping relationship form an essentially continuous sole structure with the overlapping portion creating ridges within the sole structure. The sole provides an appropriate support of the shoe on the wet floor while minimizing cost.

Abstract: A flexible shoe insole consisting of strips of narrow bands of wood spaced from each other and fixed to a pliable underlying support. The strips are oriented with the length of the strip being transverse to the longitudinal axis of the foot and the operative connection to the pliable underlying substrate allows flexure of the insole for beneficial support while the choice of materials associated with the insole allows aspiration of the foot as well as thermal protection.

Abstract: A sole construction for shoes is disclosed which includes at least two independently prefabricated wooden parts which are interconnected by at least one foamed polyurethane intermediate part. The interfacing surfaces between the wooden parts and the intermediate part are substantially free from sharp edges and the upper portions of the interfacing surfaces taper gradually arcuately upwardly and outwardly to the marginal areas thereof adjacent the surface supporting the sole of the wearer's foot, said marginal areas terminating in tangential relation with the latter surface without forming a step therewith.

Abstract: Outsole for a shoe including a first sole component molded of a relatively dense natural or synthetic rubber composition and having a cut-out shank region and a second sole component of a relatively less dense organic plastic material filling the cut-out shank region of the first sole component.

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

Abstract: A running shoe having an outer sole and a midsole. The midsole comprises a forefoot portion, an arch portion and a heel portion all formed of a resilient material having a first durometer sufficiently low to provide good cushioning and impact absorption. Rear foot stabilization means in the form of a mass of resilient material is located and confined within the midsole adjacent the medial side of the heel portion. The durometer of the stabilization means is higher than the durometer of the midsole to provide resistance to compression at the medial side of the heel portion, thereby lessening the tendency of the shoe to overpronation. In one embodiment, the stabilization means comprises plural plugs confined fully within the midsole. In another embodiment, the stabilization means extend through the outsole and into the insole.

Abstract: A sports running shoe constructed to minimize impact shock and to maximize lateral stability. The shoe's midsole is formed with a medial layer portion having one overall firmness, and a lateral layer portion having a lesser overall firmness.

Abstract: A flexible shoe, preferably of the sport shoe variety, includes a resilient sole which incorporates one or two transverse hinge joints. The principal hinge joint extends across the ball of the foot and preferably passes under the first metatarso-phalangeal joint. An optional second hinge joint extends across the anterior heel region of the foot. Both hinge joints function to keep the effective sole levers short and thereby permit the foot to function in a natural and comfortable manner. The shank of the sole may be longitudinally stiffened for additional stability.

Abstract: A shoe sole having at least one strip of protuberant wall or ridge formed on its ground-contacting surface so as to divide said surface into at least two sections, said adjacent sections being made from different shoe sole materials in color or in quality.

Abstract: An athletic shoe having an upper, an outer sole, and an intermediate sole, the intermediate sole being made essentially of a peripheral portion extending the full length of the shoe and underlying the inner and outer peripheral sides and the periphery of the heel, and surrounding an inner core portion. The peripheral portion of the intermediate sole is made of a relatively hard closed cell foam and the core portion is made of a relatively soft closed cell foam.

Abstract: An improved athletic shoe in which the solepiece has a wedge to facilitate supporting the runner's foot when contacting the ground; the toe box section being provided with pleats to allow expansion for toe movement when the foot flexes; the solepiece is provided with a flexure break segment of reduced thickness following the phalangal-metatarsal joint line of action of the human foot to permit differential flexure of the solepiece in a manner following such lines of action; and the heel part of the solepiece is rounded for optimizing initial and following ground foot contact.

Abstract: This ski boot is intended for properly and automatically positioning same on the ski without any preliminary adjustment of the safety binding in the longitudinal direction, irrespective of the boot size. The boot comprises a sole truncated at either end so as to provide a ski-engaging bottom bearing surface having a constant length independent of the boot size, the middle point of the sole being adapted to register with a reference mark carried by the ski; the end faces of the truncated sole are provided with recesses, cavities, grooves or projections adapted to co-operate with corresponding elements of the toe-end and heel-end devices of the safety binding.

Abstract: To improve the walking motion of the foot in the area of the big toe, a foot-supporting sole features a rigid section which, in the area of the little toe extends further forward than in the area of the hallux ball.

Abstract: A solid "wedge-type" sole for shoes is provided, having a sponge-like and relatively resilient material in the toe and arch regions of the sole in combination with a lift of a comparatively rigid material in the heel regions of the sole.

Abstract: A composite mid-sole especially adapted for incorporation into platform shoes and consisting of a rigid heel and shank part interconnected with a flexible forepart. The mid-sole parts are composed of moldable plastic material of differing densities, the composite mid-sole being a unit to be lasted to a shoe upper and a shoe outsole in a subsequent manufacturing operation. An improved fastening means conjoining the heel and shank part to the forepart of the mid-sole is disclosed.

Abstract: A sole construction for shoes is disclosed which includes at least two independently prefabricated wooden parts which are interconnected by at least one foamed polyurethane intermediate part. The interfacing surfaces between the wooden parts and the intermediate part are substantially free from sharp edges and the upper portions of the interfacing surfaces taper gradually arcuately upwardly and outwardly to the marginal areas thereof adjacent the surface supporting the sole of the wearer's foot, said marginal areas terminating in tangential relation with the latter surface without forming a step therewith.