Abstract: An insole is capable of withstanding penetration of nails and other foreign objects. The insole is constructed of a substantially flexible, substantially puncture resistant material, such as a polymer fiber. The perimeter of the insole is curved upward, and includes a plurality of substantially v-shaped notches therein to enhance flexibility of the insole. A downwardly curved portion is embedded in a sole of an article of footwear. The downwardly curved portion substantially mirrors the portion of the perimeter of the insole which is curved upward.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a footpad or inner sole to be used and worn inside the boot or shoe of military or civilian personnel exposed to dangerous environments in order to prevent injury to the user from being in the vicinity of an explosive device while it explodes. The present invention consists of several layers of effectively strong material comprising approximately 30 layers in total. In one embodiment therein are about 15 layers of a first effectively strong fabric underneath about 15 more layers of the first effectively strong fabric alternating with the second effectively strong fabric. Test have shown this combination to be exceedingly strong and to provide protection to the user from explosive devices and, furthermore, tests have shown that one effectively strong combination results in an embodiment wherein the first fabric is KEVLAR and the second fabric is SPECTRA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a first perfect fitting shoe (110) comprising: a first upper (114) securely fastened to a sole (12) in all areas except a ball area. The first upper (114) has an inside ball area and outside ball area which are securely fastened to each other by an elastic (16). Thus, the first perfect fitting shoe (110) can be adjusted to the user's foot prior to final lasting of the at innersole (12A) to the outersole (12B) at the ball area.

Abstract: The invention provides an inlay for a shoe. The inlay extends at least within the forefoot region and comprises one piece of a hard plate material of uniform thickness. The plate material is formed with a profiling provided transversely to the longitudinal direction of the sole of the shoe. The transverse profiling extends at least throughout substantially the entire forefoot region of the inlay. The profiling has a cross-section consisting of periodically repeating cross-sectional profile elements, each of the cross-sectional profile elements comprising a ridge and a recess. The plate material is a resilient plate material.

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

Abstract: A 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: A torsional spring insole for use in footwear having an elevated heel section for supporting the heel of a foot and an inner sole in communication with the elevated heel section for providing a torsional spring capability to the insole. A step-down region is provided for connecting the elevated heel section to the inner sole for flexing the inner sole in response to a pressure imbalance applied to the elevated heel section. The inner sole subsequently reflexes with the movement of the foot to position the elevated heel section to eliminate the pressure imbalance and to counteract pronation and supination in the foot.The elevated heel section of the insole employs the heel counter structure of the shoe in which the insole is inserted to assist in counteracting pressure imbalances associated with pronation and supination. In an alternative embodiment, the elevated heel section of the insole includes a vertical heel counter for counteracting pressure imbalances due to pronation and supination.

Abstract: Insole formed as a composite of a network of reinforcing fibers embedded in a matrix of a thermoplastic material having a softening temperature in the order of 90.degree. C. and retains its softening for a reasonable time at a lower temperature that is not uncomfortable to the human skin. The insole is formed to the shape of the bottom of the wearer's foot by placing it while still soft in the shoe and allowing it to harden while being subjected to the wearer's standing weight.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is an insole for use in a shoe, which comprises: a metallic core having at least its portion made of an amorphous metal sheet and shaped to match the sole of the shoe for preventing the shoe from being pricked; and a sheath enveloping the metallic core. The insole thus manufactured can enjoy the high prick-prevention and flexibility. When used in a shoe, the insole allows the shoe to bend well without any deterioration of the springy step. The insole is advantageous in its economy because it can prevent the shoe from being pricked, if used.

Abstract: A multi-layer shoe insole comprises a lowermost metal layer connected to a polyethylene foam layer via a film of polyethylene. An uppermost layer in the form of a felt material is connected to the polyethylene foam via a textile net embedded in a layer of synthetic resin. The insole is provided with a removably attached arch support and a removably attached heel cup. The layers of the insole are stitched to one another by a pair of threads which also serve to maintain the peripheral edge of the insole are a smooth line.

Abstract: A walking shoe having a uniquely shaped platform along the rear peripheral edge of the insole, which is constructed of a rigid backpart material and flexible forepart material. By combining it with a construction of a specially molded outflange counter and using a sturdy stitched lasting construction fastening securely the outward flange of the counter with the specially lasted molded leather upper together with the outward extension of the specially shaped insole platform, a stable support system is formed to control the lateral and longitudinal orientation of the foot when walking.

Abstract: A rigid orthotic insert made of a plurality of layers bonded to one another, with each of the layers comprising parallel fibers, some of which are graphite. Along an outside edge of the insert, there is a layer of reinforcing graphite fibers. This arrangement desirably alleviates certain force patterns when high heels are worn, and also adds to comfort.

Abstract: A rigid orthotic insert having a reinforcing structure for the heel made up of a plurality of layers, each layer having graphite fibers positioned parallel to one another and oriented along an axis skewed from the longitudinal axis of the insert.

Abstract: A sole for a shoe is described formed from a composite material. The composite material includes a plurality of plies with each ply having a plurality of high modulus, preferably unidirectional, fibers oriented at an angle from about .+-.40.degree. to about .+-.90.degree. relative to the longitudinal axis of the sole. The fibers are embedded within and bonded together by a low modulus resilient matrix. The sole is highly compliant about the forward roll axis of the sole while providing for lateral stability.

Abstract: A rigid orthotic insert made up of a plurality of layers, bonded to one another, with each layer made of a plurality of parallel graphite fibers. Some of the layers are aligned longitudinally, while other of the layers have the fibers offset from the longitudinal axis. Thus, force loads are transmitted predominantly along length of the insert.

Abstract: A rigid orthotic insert made of layers bonded to one another, with each of the layers being made of graphite fibers positioned parallel to one another. At least one of the inserts is made of several sections, with some of the sections having the fibers oriented at different angles, thus causing a desired pattern of transmission of forces through the insert.

Abstract: A rigid orthotic insert having an elongate reinforcing member at a localized position in the orthotic. The reinforcing member comprises a fiberglass reinforced plastic core, around which is wrapped several layers of a sheet made of graphite fibers impregnated with resin. The graphite fibers are oriented with the lengthwise axis of the reinforcing member, and these are formed as an integral part of the insert.

Abstract: An orthotic insert formed of a plurality of layers bonded to one another. Some of the layers are made from fiberglass reinforced plastic, having the fibers oriented at 45.degree. from the longitudinal axis. At least one of the layers is made of parallel graphite fibers, having an axis of orientation offset from the longitudinal axis of the insert.

Abstract: A spring-type shank for a shoe sole is formed on the bottom of a shoe assembly during manufacture of the shoe. The heel end of the shank is formed so that it is raised slightly from the heel seat region of the insole to provide a "spring shank". The shank is formed directly on the bottom of the shoe insole from a strip of initially flexible, uncured thermosetting material which may be fiber reinforced. The spring portion at the heel end of the shank is formed by placing a wedge between the shoe insole and the heel end of the shank strip during the curing process thereby to cause the heel end of the shank strip to cure in a raised, inclined attitude, spaced from the bottom of the insole, while the more forward, remaining portions of the shank strip cure in secure attachment to the insole bottom.

Abstract: An orthotic insert for use in various types of foot gear consisting of a first blank and a second blank fused together. The first blank is a flexible pad generally contoured to the bottom of a person's foot and the second blank is more rigid and contoured to the calcaneal and arch regions of a specific individual's foot. In combination the first and second blank form an orthotic insert which offers support to and is resiliently deformable in the heel area and flexible in the toe area thus emulating the requirement of the human gait cycle.

Abstract: A system for stiffening the shank of an insole uses a stiffener which is formed from an initially flexible and deformable strip of thermosetting resin, preferably mixed with reinforcing fibers such as fiberglass. A length of such shank strip material is applied onto the bottom of an insole and the insole, with the shank strip in place, is mounted in a special fixture. The fixture holds the strip on the bottom of the insole and also assures that the insole and shank strip will be held in the proper configuration, with the proper bend at the ball and the arch. With the shank strip and insole so held an external stimulus, such as radiant heat, is applied to the shank strip to activate and cure it in place on the insole bottom.

Abstract: A shoe having an insole with an upper and an outsole, the insole and outsole permanently fixed together by attaching members extending from the insole, which members are retained in corresponding receiving sockets in the outsole.

Abstract: Improvements in protective footwear, including work boots or shoes, are disclosed. The improvements include a new heel filler for the heel portion of the sole, the filler being formed of a light-weight moulded plastic material. The heel filler may be easily located in the heel area prior to the final boot forming step. When a shank or protective mid-sole is to be used the appropriate element is provided with a slot or other locating device which may be secured to a cooperating projection on the heel filler so that the two components may be positively located together prior to the final boot forming step. The boot is strengthened by providing a longitudinally extending rib or ribs in the arch region of the shank or mid-sole. The boot is less expensive to produce because there is less possible wear or damage in the production equipment. In addition there are fewer production rejects and the resulting boot is stronger than prior art boots.

Abstract: A shanked innersole with laminated construction having a rigid street side layer, shank attached to foot side surface of the street side layer, shank board layer extending from heel to ball of innersole and a flexible layer attached to rigid street side and shank board thereby sandwiching the shank board between the top and street side layers so that only the shank attaching means are exposed on one side of the innersole construction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a shoe stiffener directly on a selected surface of a shoe assembly (such as a shoe shank on the bottom of an insole) from a strip of initially flexible, uncured thermosetting material encased in a sleeve. The apparatus supports a shoe assembly, bottom up, to expose the insole bottom to a radiant heater. Means are provided for automatically locating a strip of the shank material on the insole bottom and for raising the shoe assembly, together with the insole strip, into engagement with a means for urging the shank strip against and into conformity with the contour of the insole bottom. A radiant heater then is operated to activate the shank strip. The ball and heel ends of the shank strip are pressed firmly toward the insole by heat absorbing presser pads which cause the ends of the shank strip to be tapered and to promote secure bonding of the ends of the shank strip to the insole bottom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a shoe stiffener directly on a selected surface of a shoe assembly (such as a shoe shank on the bottom of an insole) from a strip of initially flexible, uncured thermosetting material encased in a sleeve. The apparatus supports a shoe assembly, bottom up, to expose the insole bottom to a radiant heater. Means are provided for automatically locating a strip of the shank material on the insole bottom and for raising the shoe assembly, together with the insole strip, into engagement with a means for urging the shank strip against and into conformity with the contour of the insole bottom. A radiant heater then is operated to activate the shank strip. The ball and heel ends of the shank strip are pressed firmly toward the insole by heat absorbing presser pads which cause the ends of the shank strip to be tapered and to promote secure bonding of the ends of the shank strip to the insole bottom.

Abstract: A light insole, with a high modulus of elasticity, which has a shank comprising a fiber-reinforced resin sheet and which is produced by putting a shank element on an insole element and heating under pressure to mold the sheet and adhere the sheet to the insole element.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a shoe shank directly on the bottom of a shoe insole from a strip of initially flexible, uncured thermosetting material includes a radiant heater and resilient means for engaging the shank strip to orient, retain and resiliently urge the shank strip against the insole bottom while the radiant heater activates the shank strip.

Abstract: A strip which will form a rigid shoe stiffener, such as a shoe shank, is applied to the surface of a shoe to be stiffened, such as to the bottom of an insole. The shank strip is flexible and includes a carrier sleeve or envelope containing a plurality of fiberglass strands in a thermosetting plastic matrix. After the shank strip is in place on the insole, the matrix is activated by exposing it to an external stimulus such as radiant heat which is applied locally to the shank strip. Curing takes place in situ on the insole bottom. The carrier sleeve is formed in a manner which provides control over the shape of the cured stiffener as well as a means to facilitate handling of the shank strip.

Abstract: An orthotic insert for use in various types of foot gear consisting of a first blank and a second blank fused together. The first blank is a flexible pad generally contoured to the bottom of a person's foot and the second blank is more rigid and contoured to the calcaneal and arch regions of a specific individual's foot. In combination the first and second blank form an orthotic insert which offers support to and is resiliently deformable in the heel area and flexible in the toe area thus emulating the requirement of the human gait cycle.