Abstract: An athletic shoe sole comprising a midsole and an outsole. The midsole has a longitudinally concave shaped ball portion which is thinnest along a transverse metatarsal line, such that a longitudinal concavity is formed facing downwardly and crossing the entire width of the ball portion of the midsole. The outsole has a longitudinally convex shaped ball portion which is thickest along the transverse metatarsal line, such that a longitudinal convexity is formed facing upwardly and crossing the entire width of the ball portion of the outsole. The longitudinally convex shaped ball portion of the outsole has numerous conical shaped hollow tread members aligned in a plurality of transverse rows, and two longitudinally elongated edgewise non-hollow tread members each having a plurality of transverse grooves.

Abstract: An athletic shoe for use on a relatively hard playing surface has an outer ground sole with grooves therein that define ribs between adjacent grooves, particularly in the toe and ball areas of the sole, is characterized in that the grooves are generally arranged in concentric curves with reference to the center of the toe and ball area and the grooves define similarly arranged concentric ribs between adjacent grooves, each groove being defined by two evenly spaced walls into the surface of the sole, the outer wall and the inner wall, the outer wall being substantially perpendicular to the sole surface and the inner wall being tapered from the sole surface toward the outer wall to the bottom of the groove. Thus, each rib has an inner side substantially perpendicular to the sole surface and an outer side that tapers from the sole surface toward the outer perimeter of the sole.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shoe upper formed of a polymeric fabric mesh, with an ankle portion formed of an elastomeric polymeric material to provide support to an ankle portion of an individual. The upper includes ventilation apertures directed through a forward end of the shoe, with a first row of pneumatic tubes directed parallel to one another and coextensively with a bottom surface of the shoe, with a first resilient polymeric layer positioned interiorly of the first row of pneumatic tubes and a second row of pneumatic tubes positioned above the first resilient layer. A second polymeric layer and a third polymeric layer are respectively mounted to an interior surface in a laminated configuration, wherein each of the first, second, and third polymeric layers are of decreasing durometer of hardness to provide support and cushioning to an individual. A fluid absorbent fabric liner is formed coextensively about an interior surface of the shoe construction.

Abstract: An athletic shoe comprises an upper member and a sole member. The sole member is characterized in having a substantially flat bottom surface, a lateral channel in the sole's bottom surface at the metatarsal area of the user's foot, and a set of inwardly concave longitudinally extending channels in the sole's bottom surface. A plurality of vertically extending grooves in the sole member's side walls are provided in a preferred embodiment. The structural features in the sole member impart a mechanical advantage to the user of the athletic shoe while not impairing the comfort of the shoe.

Abstract: A gritted outsole suitable for intervulcanization with a rubber boot has a layer of inorganic grit particles secured to its outer face. The grit particles are chemically bonded to the rubber of the outsole by an adhesive having both polar and non-polar components. The adhesive may comprise a pair of successive primer coatings on the grit particles. The first primer coating is made of a polar organic polymer which has a high affinity for the grit particle. The second primer overcoats the first primer and serves to intervulcanize the first primer with the rubber of the outsole. An intervulcanized gritted outsole according to the invention provides improved traction and has greater durability than conventional gritted outsoles.

Abstract: An athletic shoe sole (10) includes a twist flex portion (18) positioned generally below the ball region of the user's foot. The twist flex portion (18) is defined by intersecting diagonal grooves (20, 22, 24, 26) and diamond shaped cleats (44, 46) between the grooves. A truncated pivot ball (28) is located in a toe portion (12) of the shoe. A similar pivot ball (38) is located in the heel portion (16) of the shoe. Grooves and ribs are provided in several regions of the shoe sole (10) for facilitating flexing of the shoe sole (10) in a direction perpendicular to the ribs and grooves, and for stiffening the shoe sole (10) in a direction longitudinally of the ribs and grooves.

Abstract: A construction for a shoe, particularly an athletic shoe such as a running shoe, includes a sole having a load-bearing sole portion and a contoured edge stability portion. The edge portion of the sole is contoured and defined by an arc of a circle having a radius equal to the thickness of the sole portion of the sole and its center at a point lying on the plane of the upper surface of the sole thickness. However, the contour varies as the thickness of the 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 in an inverted and everted mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides an orthotic support construction that is attachable to the undersurface of the front portion of the sole of the shoe for treating a disorder of the foot by supporting a selected region of the foot when the shoe is worn. The support construction comprises an elongated planar sheet, preferably of rectangular form, adapted to be mounted on the shoe sole with one of its major surfaces against the undersurface of the shoe sole. The sheet is preferably formed from a flexible, resilient, shearable, and essentially inelastic material that is trimmed to the outline of the front portion of the shoe sole and cemented in place. The sheet has an elevated portion of increased thickness projecting from the other of its major surfaces so as to underlie and thereby, to support the selected region by exerting pressure through the shoe sole against the selected region.

Abstract: A primary pivot pad (28) is positioned on the sole (12) of a shoe (10) below the ball region of the user's foot. A secondary pivot pad (30) is positioned on the sole (12) forwardly of the primary pivot pad (28). A second secondary pivot pad (20, 20') is positioned on the sole (12) both rearwardly and laterally inwardly from the primary pivot pad (28). The secondary pivot pad (20) may be positioned primarily rearwardly and somewhat laterally (FIG. 2) or may be positioned primarily laterally and only slightly rearwardly (FIG. 13). Each pivot pad presents a downwardly directed pivot surface having a pivot center. The primary pivot pad (28) extends into each secondary pivot pad (20, 20', 30) and truncates each secondary pivot pad (20, 20', 30).

Abstract: A sole arrangement for footwear or the like comprises an insole and an outsole. On the side of the outsole which faces the bearing surface, the insole is provided with a support system comprising a plurality of webs and channels and which is substantially arranged in the metatarsal region. The tread surface of the outsole which faces the ground has two web-like profile parts and a flat support part and is subdivided into individual support regions which are separated from one another substantially by a recess oriented in the longitudinal direction of the tread surface and are provided with channels and webs arranged approximately at right angles to a longitudinal axis of the sole arrangement.

Abstract: A slip-resistant shoe sole comprising an outsole layer having a bottom surface defining a region of contact between the sole and the ground, the outsole layer bearing a plurality of channels opening onto the bottom surface to define a pattern of elongated gaps across the contact region, the ratio of the area of the gaps to the surface area of the contact region and the configuration of the gaps being arranged to effectively cause liquid between the contact region and the ground to be conducted away while enhancing the slip resistance produced by the contact region engaging the ground.

Abstract: A composite outsole has a substantially planar first element with a bottom tread surface, a top surface spaced from the bottom surface, and an outwardly facing side edge extending around the bottom tread surface. A lip extends around the top surface and protrudes laterally beyond the outwardly facing side edge.A second element is molded onto the top surface of the first element. The second element has a peripheral portion overlapping the lip of the first element. An inwardly facing side edge on the peripheral portion is spaced laterally from the outwardly facing side edge of the first element to define a downwardly open groove therebetween.

Abstract: Golf shoe (1), the sole (2) of which has two separate areas (3) and (4), one of which (4) is provided with a shock absorbing element (5) and a deformable structure (6) to allow the golfer's foot to roll on the outer edge of the sole.

Abstract: A novel sole construction (16) comprises an outsole (20) and a cleat layer (34) disposed above the outsole and having a plurality of cleats (22) depending therefrom. A plurality of perforations (38) are formed in the outside (20) each perforation (38) receiving a respective cleat (22) for insertion therethrough. Thus, the exterior bottom surface (18) of the sole construction (16) comprises a flexible, light weight outsole (20) with more durable cleats (22) disposed at strategic points therein.

Abstract: A shoe sole including an outer sole of substantially uniform thickness and a midsole. The midsole has peripheral portions that are relatively thick compared to its central portion which is relatively thin. The lower surface of the midsole is preferably configured as a concavity. The outer sole has a top surface which is connected to the concave lower surface of the midsole to define, along with the midsole, a general lateral concavity for the shoe. The lower surface of the outer sole includes tread members. The outermost tread members, outer sole and midsole cooperate to support the relatively thin central portion of the midsole in a cantilever fashion. Upon ground impact, the lower extremities of the tread members are urged resiliently upwardly and outwardly, and the relatively thin central portion flexes downwardly to provide cushioning for the foot of the wearer.

Abstract: A shoe that includes an outsole having a plurality of gripping portions, the locus of the gripping portions defining a path extending from the outermost portion of the shoe below the small toe generally toward the ball of the foot at the large toe, with the portions contacting the ground sequentially along the path as the front portion of the outsole sets down. Also disclosed in providing a shoe outsole with a plurality of channels which have a first narrow region having a first width and an adjacent region having a larger width so as to permit deformable foreign matter such as food that collects in the first region to be discharged into the second region, which is sufficiently wider than the first region as to cause discharge of the matter.

Abstract: An improved sole for soccer shoes of the type having an annular cleat providing improved pivotability and excellent traction. The annular cleat extends along a substantially circular path which has medial and lateral opposed main side portions, the inside main side portion being spaced from the inside sole edge by a distance substantially greater than the lateral main side portion is from the sole outside edge. Preferred embodiments have opposed breaks along the opposed main side portions.

Abstract: The elastically deformable base of an article of footwear has a substantially plane lower surface which is formed with a deep recess below the heel, with an elongated shallow recess below the outer portion of the instep, with a two-part recess below the ball and with a two-part recess below the toes of the foot resting on the upper surface of the base. The depth of the recesses is reduced to zero or close to zero when the corresponding sections of the base are stressed by the adjacent portions of the foot during walking, jogging or running. The depth of the recesses is proportional to the magnitude of shocks or stresses which are transmitted to the corresponding sections of the base in actual use of the article of footwear. The upper surface of the base is deformed in response to a reduction of the depth of recesses in the plane lower surface so that the profile of the foot is imprinted into successive portions of the upper surface when the article of footwear is in use.

Abstract: A shoe sole for enhanced turning traction and release characteristics with an instep and an out step and further having a toe section and a heel section, the toe section bearing from two to a plurality of downwardly asymmetrically extending vacuum limiting traction arrays. Toe traction arrays are of generally circular basis, generally concentric with a point in a vertical axis with the balance point of the shoe sole and with the asymmetric extension from a plane comprising the shoe sole affording greater angle to the instep than the out step. This differential of angle allows improved turning characteristics with less turning strain for the wearer. In a further aspect of the invention, the heel section of the shoe bears vacuum limiting traction arrays to enhance the traction characteristics of the shoe when the shoe sole is applied generally flush with the traction surface.

Abstract: A shoe having a sole for facilitating rotation about an axis of rotation normal to the sole in response to the application of a moment about the axis of rotation. The sole contains flexible engagement means which comprises: flexible members radially spaced from the axis of rotation and guide means for impeding the flexing of the flexible members in response to forces which do not create moments about the axis of rotation, while allowing flexing of the flexible members in response to forces which do create moments about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: An athletic shoe for field sports having a substantially continuous annular cleat formed on the sole in forward position and extending along a substantially circular path encompassing a major area which includes most of the ball-of-the-foot and toe portions of the sole. The cleat has a passageway across a portion of the width of the sole just forward of the arch portion. Such passageway is preferably a shortening of a minor portion of the annular cleat but may be elimination thereof. Some preferred embodiments relate to a flat cleat edge, while others relate to certain passageway or cleat cross-sectional characteristics.

Abstract: A running shoe having a sole structure that includes an outsole extending from the toe to the heel and having a thickened section extending the full width of the sole structure and positioned to underlie the ball of the foot. The thickened section is appreciably thicker than the portions of the outsole that underlie the remainder of the foot. A plurality of parallel slots are cut in the thicker section across the full width of the outsole and extend from the bottom surface or tread, upwardly to just short of the top surface of the outsole to form hinges which allow it to readily flex. The slots may be partially bridged by struts which do not interfere with the hinge action at each of the slots but which provide added strength to the outsole at that region.

Abstract: A cleated athletic shoe for improved pivotability and traction on artificial turf. The sole of the shoe has a series of at least three, and preferably more, concentric annular projections, including a first annular projection encompassing nearly the entire ball-of-the-foot and toe portions of the sole and extending across the width of the sole and at least two additional annular projections spaced at progressively shorter radial locations. The enclosed sole areas are coincident with the main sole surface. Preferred embodiments include at least one and preferably more truncated-circle projections each of which are concentric with the first projection but at greater radial locations.

Abstract: A shoe having an improved sole construction in which traction devices or cleats having a substantially triangular cross-section extend downwardly from the shoe. At least some of the devices are beveled so that the lowermost side of the triangular device serves as a gripping edge that is parallel to the surface of the sole. A plurality of these beveled cleats are disposed at the perimeter of the sole, the gripping edges being parallel to the perimeter. At least some of these perimeter cleats extend outwardly beyond the perimeter of the sole and are integrally attached to both the sole and the lateral surface of the shoe so that the respective gripping edges lie parallel to, but slightly outside the shoe perimeter. The traction devices on the frontal portion of the sole within the shoe perimeter are preferably beveled cleats pointing substantially in the forward direction with their gripping edges at the back of the cleat.

Abstract: An athletic shoe for running is disclosed. The shoe has a tread design of triangular faced, slope-sided, prism-shaped, canted studs arranged in a pattern which limits and controls impact forces conducted to the foot. A set of triangular, prism-shaped stabilizer pins molded laterally into and across the outersole protects the metatarsal bones and helps to propel the foot into the next step. Tetrahedral lateral heel stabilizers control lateral roll of the ankle area and pyramidal buttress supports at the stabilizer end reduce impact shock to the metatarsal area. An interior sole further reduces impact forces and an interior lining directs perspiration away from the foot.

Abstract: A sole (12) for an athletic shoe (10) includes a base member (42) having a main lower surface (22). A contact surface (26) extends downwardly from the base member (42) to below the main lower surface (22) in order to contact the ground or floor before the main lower surface (22) as the shoe (10) descends. The contact surface (26) includes a horizontally elongate, resiliently flexible spiroidal member (38). The spiroidal member (38) has a plurality of involutions (56). Each involution (56) has a plurality of longitudinal portions (52-54) and a plurality of transverse portions (48-50). Portions (48-54) have flat bottom surfaces (30) for frictionally gripping the ground or floor disposed opposite the portions' attachments (96) to base member (42). Portions (48-54) provide a braking, shock-absorbing and anti-slipping action in response to horizontal shear forces normal to them.

Abstract: An outsole for an athletic shoe includes a central traction portion having a plurality of transverse grooves, each groove including forward facing and rearward facing groove walls. Forward facing and rearward facing traction elements are located on the respective groove walls. In a preferred embodiment the traction elements are each tapered along a central axis. In a further embodiment a peripheral region of the sole includes a second plurality of larger traction elements. The larger elements each taper along a central axis sloping outward from the central portion. The central portion is raised with respect to the peripheral region, so that its traction elements may contact the ground despite the greater height of the larger traction elements of the peripheral region.

Abstract: A pair of shoes for the sport of curling, according to the invention, has a first one of the shoes developed as a sliding shoe with a sole or a sole surface having a sliding area comprised of at least supporting areas of a material with a low coefficient of friction with respect to ice, and the other shoe formed as a run-up and drag shoe having a sole or a sole surface with at least tread areas of a material that has a high coefficient of friction with respect to ice, at least relative to that of the first shoe, and at least an outer surface of the toe cap of the upper being formed of a material that has a low coefficient of friction with respect to ice.

Abstract: An athletic shoe for field sports having a circular cleat formed on the sole in forward position substantially encompassing the ball-of-the-foot and toe portions of the sole, extending substantially across the width of the sole, and enclosing a surface coincident with the main surface of the sole. The shoe provides improved pivotability while also providing good traction, and can reduce the frequency of certain common leg injuries.

Abstract: An anti-skidding sole made of rubber or similar material, for boot or shoe. This sole has a lower surface provided with at least one integral, rib-like member projecting downwardly therefrom. This rib-like member is in the shape of a spiral and has an overall bottom surface which is substantially flat. Due to the spiral shape of this rib-like member, the air, water and/or oil boxed up under the sole may escape therefrom without forming an air or liquid cushion, and thus may allow the sole to positively contact the ground where the rib-like member provides anti-skid edges in every direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an elastomeric support surface having a network of sculptures.According to the invention, the support surface is formed with a transverse network of narrow channels (2) having periodical widened portions (3) in each channel, a tong (4) of a width less than the width of the walls defining the channel and of a height equal to the depth of the channel being provided axially in each widened portion (3).Such a support surface is notably designed for forming the treading surface of so-called marine shoes in order to drain-off the water which can accumulate inside the sculptures.

Abstract: An athletic shoe outsole minimizes the likelihood of injury to a wearer's foot from injuries attending fixation by providing a flexible sole extending the length of the wearer's foot with cleats on the sole over about the forward one-third thereof and transverse ribs on the sole over about the rear two-thirds thereof such that the forward one-third provides the wearer with omnidirectional traction and the rear two-thirds provide the wearer with only longitudinal traction.

Abstract: An improved sole for use with footwear is disclosed. The sole includes at least one layer of material which is adapted to be attached to an upper of the footwear. A distal flex groove is formed in the sole and is coextensive with a medial metatarsal-phalanges line which extends between the first and second metatarsal-phalanges joints. A proximal flex groove is also formed in the sole and extends substantially parallel to a lateral metatarsal-phalanges line which extends along the second through fifth metatarsal-phalanges joints. The proximal and distal grooves join on another at the medial edge of the sole adjacent the first metatarsal-phalanges joint.

Abstract: The invention provides a sports shoe comprising a sole, and an upper having flaps with opposed edges adapted to be drawn together over the instep of the wearer with a shoelace, said opposed edges substantially meeting in a region extending from the leg opening of the shoe towards the toe to a point where they part to define an aperture extending across the shoe to impart increased flexibility to the toe region.

Abstract: A track shoe with an improved sole is disclosed. The sole includes a plate formed of a first material which extends along substantially the entire length of the shoe. A plurality of traction cleats are permanently attached to the plate and are formed of a second material having a hardness less than the first material. A plurality of spike fasteners are attached to the forepart portion of the plate and a pair of lateral traction extensions are formed integral with the plate and extend upwardly therefrom adjacent to and upwardly of the fifth metatarsal-phalanges joint. The lateral traction extensions are separated by a gap. First, second and third flex grooves are formed in the plate to enhance the flexibility of the plate along the grooves. The first and second flex grooves extend generally parallel to a line between the first and second metatarsal-phalanges joints. The third flex groove extends substantially parallel with a line extending along the second through fifth metatarsal-phalanges joints.

Abstract: An outer sole especially designed for basketball shoes which is lightweight, stable, and provides a greater degree of shock absorption than heretofore possible. The sole includes a plurality of kinetic levers or tread members which extend downwardly and outwardly from the peripheral portion of the bottom of the sole and, together with a relatively stiff, centrally formed pedestal on the inside surface of the sole, define a cantilevered construction that dissipates shock by inducing spreading of the levers laterally outwardly upon foot-induced ground impact. The space between the inner, central pedestal and the side wall of the sole defines a cavity positioned above the respective tread members for facilitating compression and spreading thereof to enhance to shock-dissipating qualities of the sole. The sole also includes a side wall which, together with the upper walls of the tread members, defines a groove. The groove also facilitates compression and spreading of the tread members.

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 outer sole especially designed for basketball shoes which is lightweight, stable, and provides a greater degree of shock absorption than heretofore possible. The sole includes a plurality of kinetic levers or tread members which extend downwardly and outwardly from the peripheral portion of the bottom of the sole and, together with a relatively stiff, centrally formed pedestal on the inside surface of the sole, define a cantilevered construction that dissipates shock by inducing spreading of the levers laterally outwardly upon foot-induced ground impact. The space between the inner, central pedestal and the side wall of the sole defines a cavity positioned above the respective tread members for facilitating compression and spreading thereof to enhance the shock-dissipating qualities of the sole. The sole also includes a side wall which, together with the upper walls of the tread members, defines a groove. The groove also facilitates compression and spreading of the tread members.

Abstract: A game shoe having a novel outsole which includes, a skirt adhesion member located on the bottom surface of the forepart of the outsole, first projections and second projections provided on the bottom surface of the rearpart of the outsole and the bottom surface surrounded by the skirt adhesion member. The first projections are cylindrical, different in size and are formed in such a manner that the greater the height is, the smaller the diameter will be. The second projections are provided with skirt adhesion bottom ends respectively to contact the floor surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an outer sole for an athletic shoe. The outer sole has a plurality of ridges of varying depth and cleats to provide traction, cushioning and wearability. The outer sole also includes a serpentine, extended ledge of varying depth in areas where large forces are imparted to the outer sole.

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 shoe sole can either be external or constitute an inner sole to be received within the shoe. It includes a supporting pad having a plurality of circular recesses formed in its underside. A like plurality of identical individual enclosures of resilient material cover the recesses. Each enclosure comprises a series of annular walls successively axially spaced from the recess associated with the enclosure and having successively decreasing diameters, the walls being in partially nested relationship and connected together by a thinner portion of material. The arrangement is such that the enclosure or air chamber will collapse in a telescoping manner wholly within the recess of the pad when walking pressure is applied to the enclosure. Air can escape from each of the enclosures through specially designed openings. The repetitive compression and expansion of the enclosures with each step results in a shock absorbing and cushioning action by the sole.

Abstract: An athletic shoe, particularly a soccer shoe, with extreme flexibility in the ball area and, preferably, in the mid-foot joint area as well, is achieved by the provision or ribs in these areas on the contact side of the sole as well as on the insole side. The ribs form a continuous undulating band consisting of wave crests and valleys, and may be formed as a unitary part of the sole or may be a separate component made integral with the sole during manufacture thereof, such as by the sole material being injected or case around them.

Abstract: This invention pertains to soles for boots and shoes. More particularly, it pertains to a sole that is useful for mountain climbing boots, hiking boots, walking shoes, and work shoes.

Abstract: A running shoe having a sole structure that includes an outsole extending from the toe to the heel and having a thickened section extending the full width of the sole structure and positioned to underlie the ball of the foot. The thickened section is appreciably thicker than the portions of the outsole that underlie the remainder of the foot. A plurality of parallel slots are cut in the thicker section across the full width of the outsole and extend from the bottom surface or tread, upwardly to just short of the top surface of the outsole to form hinges which allow it to readily flex. The slots may be partially bridged by struts which do not interfere with the hinge action at each of the slots but which provide added strength to the outsole at that region.

Abstract: An outsole (10) for incorporation in a shoe or the like includes a generally shoe-shaped member of rubber-like material lower portion (14) contiguous with the lower surface of having an upper surface and a ground contacting bottom surface (19), the bottom surface (19) having a pair of depressed regions (21), (25) therein positioned for alignment with the heel and the ball of the foot, the bottom surface (19) surrounding the depressions (21), (25) and extending therebetween for supporting the foot about the ball and heel and in the shank region, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the depressions (21, 25) are generally oval-shaped and concave, and generally triangular indentations (32) are formed in the bottom surface 19 on either side of the shank region (23), the ground contacting bottom surface (19) thereby presenting the general appearance of a figure eight.

Abstract: A shock absorbent shoe sole (10) including an upper sole (14) and a bottom sole (12) attached to the bottom of the upper sole, the bottom sole including one or more inverted cups (22, and 24) disposed therein; each cup is located directly beneath and pointed convexly toward a natural contact point (60, 62, 64) of the human foot (54) for absorbing and dispersing shock generated at the natural contact point during a foot step.

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 sole for an athletic shoe, such as a cleated soccer or football shoe, comprises a thin, unitary member formed of flexible material. The member has a contour or configuration which renders the flexible material substantially rigid at the arch and heel portions of the sole. This provides substantial support to the arch of the foot. Cleats may extend from the toe and heel portions of the lower surface of the sole member.

Abstract: An outer sole especially designed for basketball shoes which is lightweight, stable, and provides a greater degree of shock absorption than heretofore possible. The sole includes a plurality of kinetic levers or tread members which extend downwardly and outwardly from the peripheral portion of the bottom of the sole and, together with a relatively stiff, centrally formed pedestal on the inside surface of the sole, define a cantilevered construction that dissipates shock by inducing spreading of the levers laterally outwardly upon foot-induced ground impact. The space between the inner, central pedestal and the side wall of the sole defines a cavity positioned above the respective tread members for facilitating compression and spreading thereof to enhance the shock-dissipating qualities of the sole. The sole also includes a side wall which, together with the upper walls of the tread members, defines a groove. The groove also facilitates compression and spreading of the tread members.