Abstract: A plate is molded into the lift of a heel. Resilient material is interposed between the lower surface of the heel block and the lift. Primary and secondary posts pass through the plate in a moveable manner. The primary post is joined to a primary shaft received in the heel block. The upper end of the shaft is in engagement with a compressible material. The secondary post is received in a secondary shaft and adapted for movement therein. The dual post arrangement in combination with the plate prevents the lift from being torn from the heel block. Alternatively, ribbed washers may be used in lieu of the plate.

Abstract: Orthopedic shoe with flat bottom and plantar insole, provided with a silicone insert fitted between the bottom and the plantar insole which extends from the heel towards the tip of the shoe as far as the end of the plantar arch of the foot, said insert consisting, in correspondence of the heel, of a sector embedded in the heel and having upper flat surface, wherein an annular upwardly open cavity is provided to define an inner cylindrical yielding body for the support of the calcaneum and consisting, in correspondence of the central part of the bottom, of two longitudinal projections placed along the inner and outer sides, respectively, of the shoe for supporting the plantar arch.

Abstract: A thin, heel-sized plate formed of a composite sandwich of thermoplastic resin and carbon-glass fiber cloth has a pair of upwardly-flanged lateral edges, front and rear ends, and an integral, rearwardly-extending, upwardly-inclined, vertically-acting spring member appending from it. The device is encapsulated within the resilient material of the heel portion of the midsole of an athletic shoe such that the spring member is disposed below the calcaneus of the wearer's foot. The midsole is relieved in an area below the spring member to permit it to bend downward freely in response to heel-imparted forces. A "snubber" or stopper bushing can be molded into the outsole of the shoe to limit the maximum deflection of the spring member.

Abstract: A heel stabilizer is provided for the midsole of a shock absorbing sole in footwear. The stabilizer may be provided on a side of a shoe or may surround the entire heel area of the shoe. A stabilizer which surrounds the heel area may be formed as a single piece which wraps around the heel area or may be formed of several pieces joined to form a frame. The stabilizer includes cells when viewed in vertical cross section which provide lightweight, stable cushioning to the foot along the periphery of the midsole. The cells may take a variety of geometric configurations.

Abstract: A shoe having an insole with a forepart of leather having the characteristics of upper leather and a back part of fiberboard. A sheet layer of foam material, such as microcellular polyurethane, is cemented to the lower surface of the forepart and a foam cushion, preferably molded of microcellular polyurethane, overlies the back part. The back part of the insole has an opening through it and the foam cushion has a central portion that projects downwardly through the opening thereby providing a thickened foam at the central portion to maximize cushioning at the area of the heel strike. The invention is incorporated in shoes of both the welt-type construction and the cement-type construction.

Abstract: An energy return system to be positioned in the midsole region of an athletic shoe comprises a top member made of resilient material and including a base having a plurality of integrally formed, closely spaced, downwardly depending and downwardly tapering elements, a bottom member made of resilient material and including a base having a plurality of corresponding integrally formed, closely spaced, upwardly extending and upwardly tapering elements, and sandwiched between the tips of the two set of elements a thin stiff intermediate sheet, the tips of the two pluralities of elements being aligned face to face with the stiff sheet positioned between them.

Abstract: An article of footwear having a water massage midsole and a shock absorption system characterized by assembling the midsole with a sock lining in the upper for directing a fluid in the midsole to flow forwardly and reversely in the footwear to massage the foot during walking. The footwear includes a shock absorbing plug in the heel area for absorbing the shock on the foot each time the heel strikes the walking surface. Further, the outsole for the footwear is formed on opposite sides of the outsole with major break indentations for rendering the forepart of the outsole and its associated portion of the upper torsionally flexible relative to the heel portion. Finally, the invention includes a method of capturing water in the water massage midsole for the article of footwear.

Abstract: A footwear sole has a waterproof ventilation part secured in the midsole or the outsole, and a horseshoe-shaped shock-absorbing heel member secured in the heel portion of the sole part in which the waterproof and ventilation part is secured. The waterproof and ventilation part includes a buoyancy plate that blocks penetration of water into the sole during bad weather. The shock-absorbing heel member has opposite flanges with an empty space therebetween that insure very good shock-absorbing properties of the shock absorbing heel member.

Abstract: A sole for an article of footwear, such as an athletic shoe, comprises a mass of sole-forming material having provided therein a block of material functioning harmoniously with the remaining mass of material and providing a receptacle in the sole; and a user-selectable, removable insert fitted in the receptacle to impart desired energy characteristics to the sole. The insert can be selected by the user according to his particular needs.

Abstract: An internal footwear construction is generally disclosed comprising a substantially non-yielding platform, a substantially non-yielding support frame, and at least one elastic element. The platform must extend into at least a portion of the heal region and be disposed above the outer sole. The support frame is adjacent to at least one portion of the heel region and the elastic element extends between the platform and the support frame, above the heel region. The elastic element is spatially arranged to permit elongation and contraction between the support frame and platform. Several embodiments are disclosed for a variety of footwear designs and shoe assemblies. A user replaceable elastic element permits selective adaptation for conventional, athletic and recreational applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an insert member for use within the sole region of an athletic shoe. The insert member is made from a resilient material and provides improved energy return to the outsole to enhance recovery from the forces applied to the shoe.

Abstract: An insole includes a heel portion defining a recess. A replaceable pneumatic buffer defining a first and a second tubular elements is received in the recess of the insole. A central tunnel communicating with the first tubular element defines a hole. A plurality of tunnels communicate the first tubular element with the second tubular element. When load is exerted on the buffer, the second tubular element abuts a surface of the shoe, thereby defining a chamber filled with air. When the load increases excessively, air is ventable through the hole of the central tunnel and further off the chamber.

Abstract: A foot cushioning device to absorb shock primarily shock due to heel strike which device is insertable in or may be incorporated in footwear. The exterior of the body of the device carries primary shock absorbers extending at least from the portion of the device in the heel area. The primary shock absorber deforms to protect the foot by absorbing initial shock loads. Secondary shock absorbers are also provided which with increased deformation will provide resistance to higher shock load so that a non-linear force displacement behavior similar to that occurring in the natural heel pad occurs. In the preferred embodiment, the body of the device is a heel cup and the primary and secondary shock absorbing members are defined by longer and shorter ribs extending longitudinally and transversely along the outer surface of the heel cup in a grid-like pattern.

Abstract: The sports shoe according to the invention has a highly elastic heel which reduces the shock on the foot during running and jogging. The heel which is made of a resilient, elastic material is in the shape of a strip which is arched in dowward direction and connected to the sole at its front end while forming a longitudinal cavity with the sole which is open towards the rear end of the shoe. A spring composed of two leaves which are connected at one end and unconnected at the other end of the spring, are inserted into the cavity with the connected ends positioned at the front end of the cavity and with the unconnected ends close to the rear end of the heel, whereby the upper of the two leaves is connected to the sole and the lower, strongly bent leaf to the arched heal strip.

Abstract: A self-reinitializing padding device having at least two fluidly connected chambers which contain flowable material for use in applications where it is desirable to reinitialize the padding device for subsequent use in absorbing and/or distributing impact forces. One application for which the padding device is particularly well suited is as a foot padding device in footwear. In this application, the device provides improved absorption and distribution of impact forces generated when the footwear contacts a surface, as well as improved lateral support for the foot. In a preferred embodiment, a primary chamber is positioned under the area to be padded, and a plurality of secondary chambers, each fluidly connected to the primary chamber, are positioned around the padded area. The impact force of the user's foot deforms the primary chamber, thereby forcing some of the flowable material contained therein to flow into the secondary chambers.

Abstract: An impact damping system for application to sport shoes having a hollow housing of flexible elastomeric material which is softer and more resilient than the insole material of the sport shoe which it is to be removably placed in a cavity in the heel area of the shoe. The inner and outer surfaces of the housing side which are smooth and homogeneous, and there is a top cover with an overhang lip which rests on the insole. One or more replaceable damping discs are inserted into the housing and are held therein by the cover which has downwardly extending pins to engage a groove in the disc and a peripheral flange at the lower end of the housing.

Abstract: Shoe sole for sport shoes with an outsole and a midsole of volume-compressible foamed material, as well as air cushions provided in the midsole is designed so that, on the one hand, the damping and, on the other hand, the restoring force, of the shoe sole, and thus the energy gain after release of the pressure from the shoe sole, is clearly improved. This is achieved in that the midsole (1) in the central area (2) under the heel bone (3), is provided with a honeycomb structure with individual honeycomb cells (4) that are integrally formed as part of the midsole (1) so as to open in a downward direction. These honeycomb cells (4) are sealed at their underside by an elastic cover (6).

Abstract: A plate is molded into the lift of a heel. Resilient material is interposed between the lower surface of the heel block and the lift. Primary and secondary posts pass through the plate in a moveable manner. The primary post is joined to a primary shaft received in the heel block. The upper end of the shaft is in engagement with a compressible material. The secondary post is received in a secondary shaft and adapted for movement therein. The dual post arrangement in combination with the plate prevents the lift from being torn from the heel block. Alternatively, ribbed washers may be used in lieu of the plate.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing damping device comprises a basic body which delimits a liquid-filled chamber, the basic body being provided with channels opening onto the outside of the basic body, the channels ensuring communication with a medium which deforms elastically under the pressure of the liquid. To enhance the cost-effectiveness of the damping device, the channels are designed as narrow, flow-restricting channels and the elastically deformable medium is an elastically extensible diaphragm sealed around it periphery and covering the external openings of the flow-restricting channels. The energy of an impact or a blow is absorbed by the liquid being forced through the narrow flow-restricting channels and by extension of the elastic diaphragm.

Abstract: An outsole for an item of footwear. The outsole is provided with a lower surface having a central portion and a peripheral portion. Also provided are a plurality of resilient shock absorbing strike plates which extend from, and are disposed about, the peripheral portion to define a central cavity disposed below the central portion. Each strike plate has an inwardly sloped wall adjacent the central concavity. This sloped wall is disposed at an obtuse angle to the central portion. Also provided is an elastic membrane connecting a plurality of the strike plates and extending through the central concavity. The membrane has a stiffness less than that of one of the strike plates to which it is connected.

Abstract: An outsole of flexible plastic material for sports shoes with a recess (4) beneath the heel support surface (A) for accommodating a plurality of individual bodies (5) comprising a resilient material, which fill the recess and which in the non-loaded condition bear against each other only in a region-wise or point-wise manner, forming spaces therebetween. The individual bodies (5) may be in the form of balls and may be joined together by a matrix of small connecting limb portions, to provide for better handling.

Abstract: A plate is molded into the lift of a heel. Resilient material is interposed between the lower surface of the heel block and the lift. Primary and secondary posts pass through the plate in a moveable manner. The primary post is joined to a primary shaft received in the heel block. The upper end of the shaft is in engagement with a compressible material. The secondary post is received in a secondary shaft and adapted for movement therein. The dual post arrangement in combination with the plate prevents the lift from being torn from the heel block.

Abstract: In a shoe (1), especially a sport shoe or shoe for medical purposes, with an outsole and a midsole attached to an upper between the outsole and the upper as well as with means for adjusting the height and/or hardness/damping characteristics of the sole, at least in the heel area, via damping inserts that are able to be used interchangeably. This is achieved by the fact that outsole (2) is designed to be separable from the midsole, at least in a portion of the sole extending from the arch area (7) rearward to the heel, and then reattached. A single-part or multiple-part damping insert (14), made of flexible material, can be interchangeably inserted into a space (13) formed between the midsole and the outsole when the outsole (2) is separated.

Abstract: A heel cushion composed of silicone rubber having a region which can be centrally or eccentrically located directly below the heel spur and composed of a softer silicone rubber than the balance of the heel cushion so that in heel regions subjected to higher pressure, that higher pressure will be absorbed by the softer material and the pressure throughout the back bottom part of the foot will be more uniform.

Abstract: There is disclosed a resilient heel support for a ladies' shoe which, most preferably, is convertible to heel supports of varied heights, thereby permitting the altering of the height of the heels, at the wearer's whim. The shoe is formed with a conventional upper having a toe and heel portion and a continuous flexible sole. The sole is bifurcated and has an upper arm that extends rearwardly from the instep, following the shoe arch and the contour of the inner sole of the shoe. The lower arm of the bifurcated sole is coplanar with its forward portion terminates in an upwardly directed vertical recess. A convertible heel support is attached to the undersurface of the first arm of the sole at the heel area and this heel support extends into a sliding reception within the vertical recess. The support is pivotally attached to the undersurface of the heel of the first member to permit changing the height of the heel supports.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the encapsulation of a cellular insert, in the form of cellular components, formed of woven material fabricating such cellular components that present voids or cavities therein, or which may be formed from spirally or helically wound strands of a polymer having a hardness exceeding that of the foamed or other polymer composition in which the insert locates, as within the structure of a sole for an athletic shoe.

Abstract: An improved structure of the sole of shoes suitable for use in sports or any casual wear is characterized in that the mid-sole is provided with resilient spherical bodies within recesses in the front portion and/or the heel portion of the sole, and that the hardness of the resilient bodies can be adjusted to enhance the elasticity of the soles of the shoes by virtue of the fact that the spherical bodies can be inflated and deflated or can be bodily replaced, thereby enabling the requisite shock absorbing effect to relieve impact stress during running and fatigue during long walking to be obtained.

Abstract: An insert with a wedge shaped cushion portion of greater resiliency than the remainder of the insert which is designed and arranged to be inserted through the foot opening of a shoe into an upwardly opening cavity in the posterior portion of the shoe. The cushion wedge portion is positioned to control the range of rotation of the heel of a wearer upon heel-strike and is provided in different resiliencies so that the insert may be used to properly address the impact resulting from heel-strike in different weights of wearers.

Abstract: An athletic shoe provided with a bottom structure embodying spaced, parallel midsole members, a shock-dispersing plate disposed therebetween and an outsole attached to the lower one of the midsole members, characterized in that the lowermost one of the midsole members and the outsole member contain at the heel vertical openings centered within the heel area which penetrate the layers such as to permit the shock-dispersing plate to yield in the area of the openings.

Abstract: A sports shoe is disclosed which is provided with a heel counter comprising a heel side wall part shaped with a curve along an under heel part of shoe, and a lower surface part formed integrally with the inner wall surface of the heel side wall part as projected inside the curve, the lower surface part being provided with a plurality of recesses or through holes defined with a plurality of wall members protruding in a direction intersecting the surface of the lower surface part, the heel counter being formed of a hard elastic material, and the heel counter being nipped between the upper of shoe and the sole of shoe.

Abstract: Women's high heel shoes and men's shoes are provided with unidirectionally compressible resilient heels and internal cushioning pads that absorb shock forces when the shoes are worn while walking, thereby reducing stress on the wearer's feet and legs and on the shoe heels themselves. The stiffness or compliance of the heels can be selected or adjusted to suit the wishes of the wearer.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the encapsulation of a cellular insert, formed of various woven cellular components, or fabricated to a grooved design formed of a series of linearly woven strands, each of which presents various voids or cavities within their formed structure, and then foamed in place within a polymer formed sock liner or insole for use within footwear, and particularly an athletic shoe, including the sole of a walking or other shoe. The cellular insert may be formed of a series of woven or wound cellular shaped components, having their voids therein, and which may be arranged intermediate a pair of liners, which form the upper and lower liners for the formed insert, or arranged upon a singular liner, or having the liner woven through its midpoint, in order to provide for its rather proper location within the structure of the polymer formed sole or insole.

Abstract: A shoe for casual or athletic footwear which provides support cushioning and walking comfort due to the presence of an internal dynamic rocker element disposed in a forefoot area of the midsole.

Abstract: A shoe includes a midsole with an anti-G-force heel capsule that nests in a corresponding aperture in the heel. The heel capsule interacts with an anti-torsion member, the rearmost portion of which lies proximate to the heel plug, and with an energy-efficient forefoot midsole section, thus providing a support and cushioning system that absorbs shocks associated with walking, and also prevents excessive pronation.

Abstract: An article of footwear has a heel upper (1)(1b)(1c)(1d) components and lower (2) components of which are spring loaded apart to limit stop positions either by a volume of elastomeric material (5)(7)(70b) or by a gas spring. In accordance with the invention means (48)(48a)(48b) (48c)(48d) is provided which is adjustable to vary the rate of the spring without alteration of the limit stop position to which the components (1)(1b)(1c)(1d) and (2) of the heel are urged by the spring (5)(70)(70b).

Abstract: A heat retention insole for shoes comprises a laminated structure incorporating a flexible plastic bottom sheet, a similar flexible plastic upper sheet, and a spacer sheet formed primarily of foamed organic plastic material. The spacer sheet is provided with large area apertures defined by bars extending transversely between portions of a perimetral band portion. The large area apertures are loosely filled with particles of insulating plastic material, thus assuring that the top and bottom sheets are maintained in spaced relationship even when subjected to foot pressure. The outer surfaces of the insole are preferably provided with a heat reflecting coating or film to minimize the loss of heat from the foot by radiation and reflect any such radiated heat back into the foot of the wearer.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the encapsulation of a cellular insert, in the form of cellular components, formed of woven material fabricating such cellular components that present voids or cavities therein, or which may be formed from spirally or helically wound strands of a polymer having a hardness exceeding that of the foamed or other polymer composition in which the insert locates, as within the structure of a sole for an athletic shoe.

Abstract: A running sole for a shoe comprising a sole body 1, having a generally longitudinally extending first recess 5 extending from the one edge of the sole and at least one laterally extending second recess 6, 7, extending from the side edges of the sole in the heel region, said at least one second recess intersecting the first recess, a first supporting body 10 of springably compressible and/or flexible supporting material exchangeably inserted in said first recess and having at least one opening 11 inside thereof aligned with the second recess 6, 7, and at least one second similar supporting body 16, 17 inserted in said second recess(s) 6, 7 and engaging in said opening or openings to lock said supporting bodies in position.

Abstract: A heel member (10) for attachment to a heel stub has a ground engaging surface that matches in size and shape the heel stub surface to which it is to be attached and has a stub engaging surface 10b which is cut away (10c) in the rear curved region (10d) of the heel member so that, when attached, an open but confined space 14 is provided between the stub and a rear peripheral part of the heel member to allow flexing of said unsupported rear part. A plurality of peripherally spaced webs (10e) may be provided in the cut away region (10d) to support, and assist the return action of the rear part of the heel member during flexing.

Abstract: A shoe having a shock absorber therein. In one embodiment, the shock absorber includes an inflatable member having a hole placing the interior of the inflatable member in fluid communication with the atmosphere. The shock absorber is restrained by a stabilizing structure against lateral instability. The stabilizing structure is in the form of a box of any one of several configurations. During foot strike, air is forced out of the inflatable member to cushion the heel while the stabilizing structure keeps it stable in the shoe. During toe-off of the shoe and swing-through to the foot strike, atmospheric air enters the inflatable member and inflates the same so that the member is ready to cushion the foot during the next foot strike. Several embodiments of the shock absorber are disclosed.

Abstract: A shoe insole includes a heel portion (12), a mid portion (14) and a toe portion (16). On the under surface of the shoe insole, a cylindrical disc (18) is formed in the center of the heel portion (12). Annular rings (20) and (22) are also formed in the heel portion (12) and concentrically disposed about the cylindrical disc (18). A plurality of arcuate ridges (24) are disposed on the mid portion (14) and constituting arcs of concentric circles radiating outward from said cylindrical disc (18). The cylindrical disc (18), the annular ridges (20) and (22) and the arcuate ridges (24) have essentially the same height and are formed of a highly resilient material such as polyurethane.

Abstract: An otherwise conventionally constructed running shoe sole is provided with a rounded border having a radius of curvature of about 20 mm only along approximately the rear 50% of the length of the outer side of the midsole and heel edge layers, the remaining border area being provided with a conventional flaring or the like with the exception of a transition zone. In accordance with a modified embodiment, a convexly curved shock-absorber bar is incorporated into the sole and is outwardly covered by a layer of softer material which is provided with the outer curvature, and which increases the cushioning capacity of the sole during initial heel strike.

Abstract: An elastic sole for a shoe, such as a sport shoe, includes an outer sole with a profiled wearing surface and an inner sole. The inner sole forms at least one chamber. A spring member is located within the chamber and includes a plurality of elastomer spring elements and a tension rod extending through the spring elements. The tension rod is connected to abutments at opposite ends of the spring elements. One end of the tension rod is accessible on the exterior of the sole for adjusting the spring characteristic of the spring member.

Abstract: A shoe or other like article of footwear has a heel construction having higher shock absorbing capability in a rear portion compared to the remainder, this difference resulting from the incorporation in the rear portion of a layer of elastomeric material having a recovery which is delayed, after compression, by a time of an order not less than that during which load through the construction is transferred from the rear portion to the remainder following heel strike during normal walking. This load transfer time is about 40 ms. and the delayed recovery time will not normally exceed about 1s. A similar higher shock absorbancy can be provided additionally in a localized area of the sole.

Abstract: A urethane prepolymer repair system is provided by an isocyanate-terminated polytetramethylene ether glycol prepolymer of about 3,500-10,500 molecular weight that cures to an elastomer upon exposure to atmospheric moisture and is packaged in a container capable of repeatedly dispensing the prepolymer with minimal exposure to ambient air, such as a collapsible tube or caulking gun cartridge. The repair system is used to build up worn down soles and heels of footwear, repair separations of soles and heels from shoe tops, and hundreds of other uses.

Abstract: A biochemically tuned shoe has a heel construction that provides a force-deflection response which is optimal for a particular person and a particular use. The heel construction features a main spring that is characterized by a large vertical compliance while at the same time exhibiting an extremely high resistance to a lateral shear (horizontal compliance). The main spring is preferably a coned disk spring formed of a plastic material or a vertical stack of operatively coupled coned disk springs. The main spring can be embedded in a conventionally shaped heel formed of a resilient material such as an open or closed cell foamed rubber or plastic secured to the sole of the shoe. In other forms, the heel construction is replaceably secured to the sole by a threaded stud with or without an intermediate assembly. In a preferred form, the main spring acts in cooperation with a resilient member to extend the characteristic load deflection curve of the main spring.

Abstract: A heel for footwear includes a resilient, compressible generally wedge-shaped insert which is secured between a ground-engaging part and an upper part of the heel and absorbs shock. The insert tapers in depth away from the back of the heel while the rear end of the ground-engaging part of the heel slopes upwardly towards the back of the heel to reduce wear at the back of the heel.

Abstract: A shoe heel made from a resilient material includes an interior cavity. Two magnetic plates of like polarity are embedded in opposed relationship within the interior cavity. The repulsive force between the magnetic plates cushions the act of walking and provides uniform support over the surface of the heel.