Abstract: An insole for a sport shoe including a foam footbed having disposed on the underside thereof a first resilient pad at the forward portion of the insole and a second resilient pad at the heel portion of the insole and including frusto-conical primary nubs formed integrally on each of the pads and a secondary nub formed on each of the primary nubs.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an outsole with a cavity in the heel region in which a cushioning insert is installed to cushion impacts and provide added lift to the wearer. The heel region of the outsole projects outwardly beyond the periphery of the heel region of the shoe upper to form a projecting peripheral rim. The cavity has an upper wall and a lower wall and a plurality of springs extend between the upper and lower walls at spaced intervals around the peripheral rim. Opposing magnets are mounted in the upper and lower walls in a central region of the cavity with their like poles facing one another to provide a magnetic biassing force which augments the spring load.

Abstract: A layered cushioning system for a shoe sole for women's pumps is characterized by a flexible polyurethane outsole containing a recess in the upper forepart thereof within which is molded a shock-absorbing foam insert. A rigid insole tuck having a steel shank and a contoured configuration is mounted on the outsole and extends from the heel to the arch. A shock-absorbing heel pad is connected with the upper surface of the tuck in the heel area. Mounted on the insole tuck is a socklining including a lower shock-absorbing foam layer and a urethane coated cover. A further shock absorbing foam insole is provided for the forepart area. The sole thus has superior cushioning, flexibility in the forepart region and stability in the rear.

Abstract: An athletic shoe includes a spring interposed in its sole providing superior shock absorbance and energy return. The coil spring increases in diameter and is fixed between two spacers, wherein the spacer adjacent the largest diameter end of the spring delimits a space therein. During compression, the smaller end of the spring passes through the larger end and into the space defined by the spacer. The structure maximizes energy return and prevents bottoming out during compression. In an alternate construction, the sole having the spring is removable from the shoe portion such that the shoe portion can be fixed to a plurality of soles. The arrangement can be further revised to accommodate a hoofed foot of an animal. The spring can also be concealed in a hollow heel member of a dress shoe.

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: Footwear construction having a comfort cradle device disposed in a midsole socket for support above the outsole contact with a walking or running surface and in which the cradle device is shaped to afford self centering and position stability for the wearer's foot. The cradle device is interlocked with the midsole through a system of fingers that move in response to the shift in applied load to return energy to the cradle.

Abstract: A reactive energy fluid filled cushioning and stabilizing apparatus in a shoe is comprised of one or more anatomically shaped fluid filled bladders that are positioned in the forefoot, arch and/or heel areas of the shoe. The bladders assume a complementary custom fitting configuration to the contours of a foot inserted in the shoe. In variant embodiments of the apparatus, the fluid filled bladders are positioned separate from each other in the forefoot, arch and heel areas of the shoe and are interconnected in fluid communication by fluid conducting channels, or the bladders are positioned independent of each other in the forefoot, arch and heel areas of the shoe.

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: 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: A heel cup of molded rubber or noncompressible resilient, flexible plastic, has a relatively thin sole extending from a heel towards the arch of a user when fitted beneath the user's heel. The rear portion of the sole and opposite side portions thereof are curved upwardly forming a thickened arcuate reinforced heel support configured to the user's heel. A horseshoe shaped rim integral with the sole and the heel support projects below the bottom surface of the sole. A plurality of laterally and longitudinally closely spaced pegs integral with the sole project outwardly of the bottom surface at right angles and are of decreasing vertical height from the integral rim to the front portion of the sole. The pegs have a vertical height in excess of that of the rim in the area of the rim. The pegs affect a first wave-like action of gentle pressure and massage to the soft tissue of the heel from the back to the front of the heel during ambulation of the user.

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 ankle supporting and foot cushinoning device including a stretchable ankle having a tubular body fitting over at least a portion of the foot of the wearer and extending around the heel area to the ankle area. A heel cup is attached to the anklet having a resilient body which defines a recess to receive the heel portion of the foot of the wearer. The body is provided with shock absorbing means in at least an area adjacent to the os calcis portion of the wearer's foot whereby the ankle is supported and properly maintains the heel cup in a controlled position to absorb shock.

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 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 heel device is designed to cause a heel portion of a shoe to rebound when a person walks or jogs. Primarily, it consists of a base plate secured to the bottom of the heel portion of the shoe, and a leaf hinge is secured to the base plate and pivots. Projections are secured to the leaves of the hinge and include a pair of shafts that retain and support an endless rubber belt that provides the tension for the shoe to rebound.

Abstract: A shoe for use in sports involving running and comprising an outer ground engaging sole, an inner foot engaging sole and a midsole therebetween, the midsole having therein, at least at the outer portion of the heel, a shock absorbing member comprising a shock absorbing synthetic resin foam layer bonded at its upper and lower surfaces to hard plates.

Abstract: An insole construction for shoe comprising an insole layer having a forward portion, an instep portion having upwardly flared walls defining a flexible support for the wearer's instep, and a heel portion having upwardly flared peripheral walls defining a heel cup and having an enlarged opening through which a segment of the heel portion projects, and an insert positioned below and secured to the insole layer.

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: An insole for high heel footwear is designed to provide comfort and support cushioning and significantly reduce shock and vibration through the skeletal system. The insole is comprised of a relatively thin layer of open cell, flexible, resilient foam of low compression set, a heel bucket which extends into the heel of the shoe or an implant which is posiitoned at the heel and a metatarsal insert. The heel bucket or implant, and the metatarsal insert are formed from a shock absorbing, viscoelastic polyurethane elastomer to moderate the accleration of heel and metatarsal strike generated shock waves.

Abstract: An improved composite for absorbing and dispersing impacting forces is disclosed. The composite includes a flexible plastic enclosure defining an internal cavity. The flexible enclosure is generally impermeable to air and capable of having its internal pressure changed. The composite further includes a foam core filling the cavity and retained within the cavity and adhered on substantially all of its external surface to the internal surface of the cavity. The cavity can be pressurized for higher impact absorbance. Methods for fabricating the composites are disclosed, as well. These methods include forming the outer enclosure by applying a solution/suspension of the prepolymer of controlled solids content to the core and also can include the step of preheating the core prior to coating it.

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: A shoe has a sole with an energy control system for shock absorption and for propulsion of the wearer. The energy control system includes a spring system and an overlying energy absorbing member located in a cavity in the midsole. The spring system includes a spring plate with a plurality of curved, resilient strips projecting there from. The resilient strips are deformed under the load of the foot of the wearer and then return to their original shape as the foot is lifted and the lead is removed. A support rib at the rear of each resilient strip directs the released energy in a forward force component as the strip returns to its uncompressed shape. An energy absorbing member, preferably a layer of urethane is provided over the spring system.

Abstract: A shoe insert for use with a shoe or sneaker to reduce impact to the foot and to absorb shock and attenuate shock to the foot. The insert is comprised of a base layer of a relatively resilient material, a foam layer disposed over the base layer, a fabric disposed over the foam layer and means integrally forming the base layer, foam layer and fabric into a sheet tri-laminate. A support layer is disposed only at the heel area and is constructed of a rigid material of higher density than that of the tri-laminate. Means are provided for attaching and forming the tri-laminate with the support layer.

Abstract: A comfort sole arranged to be mounted in a shoe extends from the heel portion of the shoe to approximately the arch. The sole has a resilient upward curved portion intermediate the sides thereof in the area of the heel portion to form an air chamber between it and the sole of the shoe. This curved portion is arranged to flex up and down due to lifting and lowering of the person's foot while walking or running to pump air from the air chamber around the foot. The comfort sole has a cross sectional shape including thickened side portions which provide good fit and good support of a person's foot. A portion of the shoe may be recessed under the upward curved portion to increase the size of the air chamber.

Abstract: There is disclosed a resilient spring and lever support for an inner sole of a shoe which can be used in combination with a new foot warmer mechanism, or can be used as an orthopedic foot support. The preferred embodiment is a foot warmer mechanism which has a pair of sole plates in rubbing frictional contact with the upper sole plate pivotally secured at the toe of the shoe and the lower sole plate supported by a lever arm located near the heel of the shoe. A resilient spring is provided at the heel of the shoe to bias the pair of plates upwardly, and one or more springs can also be provided at intermediate positions. The pair of plates is moved down and up by the applied weight of the wearer and the countering bias of the spring. As the sole plates are moved, they slide against each other, generating heat by friction, to warm the weater's foot. The mechanism can be constructed in the shoe or can be a separate assembly that can be inserted into a shoe.

Abstract: The invention is in a sole unit for footwear including a midsole/wedge component (16, 30, 40, 60) of plastic material. The midsole/wedge component includes a core (26, 36, 46, 62) which may be characterized as a V-channel within a central longitudinal portion extending away from the back of the heel along substantially the longitudinal axis of the component. A pair of posts (22 and 24, 32 and 34, 42 and 44, 64 and 66) describing a lateral and medial post extend along the component at least to the region of the heel seat of the wedge. The density of the medial post (Shore A) may be equal to or greater than the density of the lateral post, and both posts have a density (Shore A) greater than that of the core to minimize excessive rear foot motion and instability.The invention also envisions several process for forming the midsole/wedge component.

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: The manufacture of a sole unit for footwear, such as an athletic shoe including an integral midsole/wedge or a separable wedge for use with a midsole. The integral midsole/wedge unit and the separable wedge comprise a shell and a core at least partially encapsulated within the shell. In the manufacture the core is supported in a mold by a plurality of pins extending from an upper and lower mold half toward a parting line; or the core is supported on one or the other of an outsole or insole of the sole unit and closed in the mold. The material of the shell is poured or injected into the mold.

Abstract: An insole (10) for disposal in a shoe adjacent the sole of the foot includes a cushioning layer (12) having one surface thereof for disposal adjacent the sole of the foot and having a profile around the perimeter thereof which generally conforms to the contour of the sole of the foot to better disperse forces thereabout. The cushioning layer (12) includes a heel portion (14), a mid portion (16) and a toe portion (18). A plurality of arcuate ridges (20) are disposed on the surface of mid portion (16) and are integrally formed therewith. Ridges (20) are disposed in spaced apart relationship on the surface of mid portion (16) and extend across the entire width of insole (10) to form arcs of concentric circles having their radial centers in the middle of the heel portion (14). Each of ridges (20) is triangular in shape with its apex located adjacent the arch of the foot. Ridges (20) are thus operative to create a raised portion (26) on the upper surface of insole (10) adjacent the arch of the foot.

Abstract: A sole for an athletic shoe having an outer sole and a midsole formed of several layers, especially for running disciplines, is improved in such a way that stresses caused by pressure occurring during running and affecting the foot and the ankles are controlled in such a way that injury, especially injury to the ankles and premature fatiguing, is largely avoided. This is achieved by the midsole being comprised of a softly elastic inner part, a hard-elastic stabilizer and a cushioning piece that are formed into a unit and surrounded on all sides by a softly elastic sheathing.

Abstract: A shoe insert for use with a shoe or sneaker to reduce impact to the foot and to absorb shock and attenuate shock to the foot. The insert is comprised of a base layer of a relatively resilient material, a foam layer disposed over the base layer, a fabric disposed over the foam layer and means integrally forming the base layer, foam layer and fabric into a sheet tri-laminate. A support layer is disposed only at the heel area and is constructed of a rigid material of higher density than that of the tri-laminate. Means are provided for attaching and forming the tri-laminate with the support layer.

Abstract: The manufacture of a sole unit for footwear, such as an athletic shoe including an integral midsole/wedge or a separable wedge for use with a midsole. The integral midsole/wedge unit and the separable wedge comprise a shell and a core at least partially encapsulated within the shell. In the manufacture the core is supported in a mold by a plurality of pins extending from an upper and lower mold half toward a parting line; or the core is supported on one or the other of an outsole or insole of the sole unit and closed in the mold. The material of the shell is poured or injected into the mold.

Abstract: A sole unit for footwear such as an athletic shoe includes an integral midsole/wedge or a wedge for use with a midsole. The integral midsole/wedge unit and the wedge for use with a midsole both are formed by a shell and an encapsulated core. The shell and core comprise plastic materials which have individual strengths and weaknesses in a shoe construction, yet provide, as a composite improved results in a shock dispersion and memory system. In a second aspect, the integral midsole/wedge is a single density or a two-density unit precompressed from a low density material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pronation correcting device designed to provide three important functions to correct excessive pronation and eliminate the adverse affects thereof. The wedge comprises a substantially flat cushion portion, a wedge cushion portion and a horseshoe shaped cushion portion. The device provides heel lift, outward heel rotation and stabilization of the heel.

Abstract: A shoe insole having a substantially flat base layer and constructed in particular as a running shoe having an improved arch and heel support including, in addition to, the base layer, a resilient intermediate layer affixed to and overlying the rear portion of the base layer and adapted to conform to the foot having a cupped back for accommodating the heel and a side crown for accommodating the arch. The resilient layer is formed thicker at the cupped back to absorb maximum impact usually concentrated thereat and thinner at the side crown so as to provide improved flexibility.

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 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: There is disclosed a cushion pad for sport shoes and the like and a method for manufacturing such a pad and the combination of such a pad with a sport shoe and the like. The pad of the present invention is fabricated from a flat web of closed pore foam of cross-linked ethylene vinyl acetate-low density polyethylene copolymer. The pad is formed between two opposing molds to present a shape having a cup-like depression adapted and constructed to accept essentially the heel portion of a human being. The so-formed pad is then cut out of the remainder of the formed web in a manner whereby the pad provides support from just in back of the first metatarsal joint to the sides and back of the calcaneus. It has been found that the resultant pad made within the purivew of the invention requires only a few sizes to fit most of the feet of possible users.

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: An orthotic device for the heel of a person's foot. The orthotic device includes a flexible cup-shaped body member adapted to surround the heel and adjacent portions of a person's foot when worn by the person. The cup-shaped body member includes an integral substantially solid heel cushion disposed on said body member in the vicinity of the heel of the person when the orthotic device is worn, three substantially solid rib members extending substantially longitudinally along the length of the bottom portion of the body member, and a tendon supporting portion provided on the cup-shaped body member which is adapted to surround and support a portion of the Achilles tendon when the orthotic device is worn. Relieved areas are provided on the cup-shaped body member for joining the heel cushion to the bottom portion and to the tendon supporting portion to permit limited freedom of movement of the heel cushion relative to the sole portion and the tendon supporting portion when the device is worn.

Abstract: An athletic shoe construction having shock absorbing elements in the heel and forefoot areas of the sole portion of the shoe which elements are surrounded on their sides by comparatively hard rim portions of a sole shell or mid-sole.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing athletic shoe having a foot-cushioning inner sole member to one face in which, and to at least a portion of the rim in which, is bonded an open-mesh web. The web includes elongated, interwoven stretch-resistant strands which are disposed at oblique angles relative to the shoe's long axis. These strands act as force-transmitters with respect to the sole member, and cause a localized foot-produced deformation in the member to be "distributed" to other regions in the member.

Abstract: A shock absorbing, relatively rigid but resilient slab for insertion in footwear as an insole or for being built integrally into the sole of footwear, extends across the shoe width and lengthwise from the outer rear border of the heel to the metatarsal heads of the foot of the wearer, has a smooth top surface with a heel concavity and a varus heel ridge extending transversely from the lateral to the medial side and inclined upward to a high level at the medial side and then continuing medially to the rear end of the heel cup and with a bottom having a solid lateral edge mitigating shock at the initial heel contact and from which radiate circumferentially in a clockwise direction around the heel for an arc of about 30.degree.

Abstract: A removable shoe to be worn over a cast that extends over the foot of a person, which shoe provides protection to the cast and by use of a heel wedge preferably inserted in the shoe, and with an area below the main face of the wedge to accommodate the bottom of the cast, provides an improved walking action for the user.

Abstract: Heel supporting and cushioning member for footwear controlling the movement of foot/leg muscles in the form of removable, preferably disposable heel and foot shock absorber comprising a pliable coil filled with an elastomeric material resiliently flexing with the movement of the heel.