Abstract: A winter weather footwear article is disclosed which is formed of a molded sole, a flexible and foot-conformable upper attached to the top surface of the molded sole, and sandal strapping coupled to the sole or the upper and tightenable and fastenable about the exterior of the upper to set the tightness of fit of the article to the wearer's foot. The upper is made up of a fabric layer having a flexible and foot-conformable layer of closed cell polymer foam laminated to the interior surface. This article is preferably used in combination with an inner liner made of a soft insulative material. In preferred embodiments, the upper includes a fabric layer with a flexible and foot-conformable layer of closed cell polymer foam laminated to the interior surface of the fabric layer.

Abstract: A shoe having a support strap assembly which is advantageous in providing improved support and/or improved balance of the shoe, to assist in preventing ankle injury or in reducing the severity of an ankle injury. In a preferred form of the invention, an upper strap assembly extends adjacent a top region of the shoe, and side strap assemblies extend from the upper strap assembly and along each side of the shoe. With the arrangement, if the foot is tilted, the strap on the side of the foot opposite to the direction of tilting not only provides support to the wearer, but also can provide feedback to the wearer to inform the wearer of an improper foot position and thereby assist the wearer in returning the foot to a proper position. In a disclosed embodiment, the side strap assemblies extend in front of the ankle, and meet with a sole of the shoe in an arch region of the shoe, so that the support strap assemblies provides a stirrup-like balanced arrangement.

Abstract: A snowboard boot for freestyle riding includes a soft boot-shaped inside portion and a boot-shaped outside portion that is provided with a soft shaft. To transmit the force for backside turns with legs bent to the side, a rigid insert is provided between the inside portion and the outside portion that extends about the heel area. At the height of the ankle a rigid back portion embracing the calf is pivoted on the insert about an axis extending in the longitudinal boot plane.

Abstract: An athletic shoe formed of a sole, an upper attached to the sole and including an ankle portion extending around the medial and lateral malleoli, and an inflatable bladder attached within the ankle portion. The inflatable bladder has a medial section and a lateral section, with an inlet mechanism for supplying pressurized gas to the interior of the bladder. Weld lines divide the medial and lateral sections into upper and lower portions and prevent the formation of restrictive vertical columns of pressurized gas in the medial and lateral sections.

Abstract: A counter mounting within a snowboard boot having a sole and an upper having a rear side, an inner side and an outer side attached to the sole. The counter includes a lower counter portion for fixing to the boot in close proximity to the sole and an upper counter portion for fixing to the lower counter portion. The upper counter portion includes an inner side upper counter portion for extending along the inner side of the upper and an outer side upper counter portion for extending along the outer side of the upper. A length of the outer side upper counter portion which extends along the outer side of the upper is greater than a length of the inner side upper counter portion which extends along the inner side of the upper.

Abstract: Sports shoe with improved lateral rigidity, including a shell rigid reinforcing frame and a shell soft portion connected to the shell rigid reinforcing frame. The reinforcing frame includes bands of plastic material extending along a first inclined directrix and a second inclined directrix such that open regions are defined in the shell reinforcing frame. The first inclined directrix extends at a foot side from the tip region towards the region lying above the heel region, and the second inclined directrix also extends the foot side from the heel region towards the foot instep region.

Abstract: The ski boot essentially consists of a lower part (1), in the form of a shell with a variable volume, and a boot leg, in the form of a collar (2). The collar (2) is articulated on the shell. The shell has two tightening buckles (4, 5) and the collar (2) has a closure and tightening buckle (6) located just below its upper end. The collar (2) has a lower-leg belt (10) surrounding the shell above the point of articulation (3) of the collar (2) on the shell. The lower-leg belt (10) has a closure and tightening buckle (11). When buckle (11) is closed and tightened, the buckle's tightening direction (F) passes above the point of articulation (3) in a slightly inclined direction towards the rear of the boot. The lower-leg belt (10) may consist of a material which is stiffer than the collar (2). The lower-leg belt (10) improves how the ski boot holds the lower leg without having to increase the apparent stiffness of the collar and without reducing the possibility of forward flexing of the collar by the lower leg.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a shoe sole, a shoe upper having medial and lateral sides, and a closure element which overlaps the shoe upper and has a plurality of fastening projections. The closure element extends upwards along each side of the shoe upper as well as beneath the shoe sole. Each of the fastening projections includes an aperture or loop for receiving a shoe lace such that the projections on opposing sides of the shoe upper are connected together by the shoe lace and the shoe upper is thereby secured around the foot of the wearer. The closure element may be permanently attached to the article of footwear, or it may be removably disposed thereover. The tongue of the shoe upper may also include a positioning element for positioning the shoe lace between opposing sides of the fastening projections.

Abstract: The comfort inner boot for a ski boot comprises a plastic boot leg (2, 6), the inner face of which is provided with studs (12), of which the height and at least one of the parameters: mean cross section, distribution density, and nature of the material vary according to the zone in question, in such a way that the boot leg has zones of different thickness and compressibility. The studs are preferably covered with a foam (13), the effect of which, combined with the spaces made between the studs (12), makes it possible to provide the anatomical shape of the inner boot, its comfort and its technical features.

Abstract: A shoe member is formed of a polymer composition comprising (A) a composite material having a low molecular weight material retained in a medium material and (B) a polymer material. The low molecular weight material has a viscosity of up to 5.times.10.sup.5 centipoise at 100.degree. C. The difference in solubility parameter between the low molecular weight material and the medium material is up to 3.0. The weight ratio of low molecular weight material/medium material is at least 1.0. The difference in solubility parameter between the low molecular weight material and the polymer material is up to 4.0. The weight ratio of low molecular weight material/polymer material is at least 0.5. The polymer composition is enclosed in a rubbery or elastomeric cover particularly when it is used in the outsole.

Abstract: A shoe with an integral ankle support preferably for, but not limited to, an athletic shoe, has a plurality of adjustable straps and brace members attached to a shoe upper. The brace members provide semi-rigid support and are attached medially and laterally to the upper inner surface with a rivet in each brace member, thereby allowing movement of the brace members in an anterior and posterior direction about an axis defined by the rivets. An improvement of the integral ankle support includes the use of a combination heel and ankle support incorporated into the construction of a shoe.

Abstract: An independent, removable device which is capable of being attached to the leg above the ankle and to the external side of the footwear in a variety of ways prevents ankle injuries. The device comprises a strap (1 in every figure) which embraces the leg of the wearer, just over and around the ankle. At the ends of the strap there is a suitable system to close the strap. The upper end of a rigid or semirigid sheet (2 in every figure) is pivotally connected to the strap (1). The lower end of the sheet is inserted in a little box (4 in every figure), which is fitted to the side of the shoe. The connection of the sheet to the shoe also might be done through a screw which would be screwed on the shoe sole (8 in FIG.3).

Abstract: A jumping assist system to be mounted in conjunction with each lower leg and foot of a human which will cause the imparting of additional energy during the jumping movement which will result in the individual being able to jump higher, especially in a succession of jumps, as well as having greater endurance in jumping. When the lower leg moves forwardly into the jump-ready position, a pulling force is applied from the lower leg to a tension brace which extends substantially parallel to the back of the leg to under the heel of the foot causing a forward rotational force at the ankle joint. This force will assist the individual in the jumping action. There is also a separate strap connection over the dorsum of the foot which extends along the bottom of the foot and under the heel, anchoring in the achilles area. This dorsum strap further assists in achieving an increased level of upward support and some rotational force that assists the individual in the jumping motion.

Abstract: A snowboarding boot having a flexible upper portion has one or more somewhat vertical elongate pockets on the surface of the upper portion to receive therein elongate, semi-rigid stiffening stays. Each pocket is formed of flexible material to define a medial channel having an open top and cross-sectional area similar to that of the stiffening stay to be carried therein to allow variable vertical positioning and positional maintenance of the stiffening stays by reason of frictional engagement with the pocket. Stiffening stays are formed of elongate strips of semi-rigid material, normally having some resiliency but being more rigid than the flexible upper portion of a boot, and the stiffening stays optionally carry a loop of flexible material in their upper end portions to aid insertion and removal and releasable fasteners for positional maintenance within a carrying pocket. The pockets extend downwardly from the top of a boot or to the ankle area in vertical or angulated orientation.

Abstract: An article of athletic footwear or legwear comprises a flexible interior member manipulable to receive at least a portion of a wearer's foot and a first pair of disk members coupled to opposed exterior surface portions of the flexible interior member and positionable over the lateral and medial sides of the ankle joint. Each disk member defines a substantially convex, outwardly facing exterior surface portion.The article, which may be an athletic shoe, ski boot, skate, or the like, further comprises an exterior assembly defining an interior cavity dimensioned and arranged to receive the flexible interior member while the interior member is worn on the foot of the wearer. A second pair of disk members are coupled to opposite interior surface portions of the exterior assembly within the cavity.

Abstract: Sports shoe has a quarter associated with a shell and has improved lateral rigidity. The shoe includes at least one rigid element which affects the metatarsal region, the heel region and the malleolar region at least at the inner side of the foot. This provides a rigid structure that, for example in the case of ski boots, allows optimum transmission of forces from the leg to the binding and thus to the ski.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe cover that can be attached to a selected athletic shoe to provide an improved appearance of the upper portion of the shoe. The lower edge of the shoe cover attaches to the bottom of the shoe upper or to the side of the sole portion, so the bottom surface of the sole is not restricted. The top of the cover is retained tightly against the top of the shoe upper to give the cover a snug fit against the selected shoe. The shoe cover also carries one or more ankle supporting straps that are positioned near the wear's ankle when the shoe cover is installed on the shoe. The straps can be wrapped around the user's ankle where they are held closed with fasteners. Thus, the ankle support straps do not require that a separate sock element be worn under the shoe or that the straps be permanently attached to the shoe.

Abstract: A sand soccer boot with a soft foam elastomer layer having an inner layer, an outer layer, a lower portion, an upper portion, and an ankle portion. The ankle portion and the upper portion integrally form an open recess for insertion of a foot. The open recess has an elastic foam forming ankle support thereattached. The ankle support serves to conform to a user's ankle to prevent sand from entering. A leather outer layer has an inner surface, an outer surface, a lower portion, an upper portion, and an ankle portion. The inner surface is secured to the outer layer of the soft foam elastomer layer. An elastomer sole has an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface is secured to the outer surface of the lower portion of the leather outer layer.

Abstract: A skate boot is described, having a plastic overlay sewn or otherwise secured to the boot of the skate, wrapping around the heel of the boot from the medial to the lateral side of the ankle. The overlay increases the rigidity of the rear of the skate, to restrict pronation and supination, while adding impact resistance. Preferably, in order to permit dorsal and plantar flexion, the plastic overlay has several cut-out areas which allow for a controlled amount of flexion about a lateral axis, namely a heel flex cut-out area and side flex cut-out areas on either side in the instep area. Flexible inserts are preferably installed in the cut-out areas, to maintain extra impact protection while permitting flexion.

Abstract: A fastening system to secure a gaiter to a shoe is provided. The fastening system includes a shoe having a pair of studs integrally formed at the rear end thereof and a gaiter having at least three apertures on the rear end thereof. A belt is also included with an aperture formed at a center portion and having one end secured to a fastener disposed at one side of the gaiter, the other end of the belt being inserted through an aperture of a buckle formed in an opposing side of the gaiter and releasably coupled to the fastener to hold the gaiter securely in place.

Abstract: A jumping assist system to be mounted in conjunction with each lower leg and foot of a human which will cause the imparting of additional energy during the jumping movement which will result in the individual being able to jump higher, especially in a succession of jumps, as well as having greater endurance in jumping. When the lower leg moves forwardly into the jump-ready position, a pulling force is applied from the lower leg to a tension brace which extends substantially parallel to the back of the leg to under the heel of the foot causing a forward rotational force at the ankle joint. This force will assist the individual in the jumping action. There is also a separate strap connection over the dorsum of the foot which extends along the bottom of the foot and under the heel, anchoring in the achilles area. This dorsum strap further assists in achieving an increased level of upward support and some rotational force that assists the individual in the jumping motion.

Abstract: A quarter-top to high-top athletic shoe insert including horizontally elongated, generally parallel and panel-like edge upstanding wings having corresponding front and rear ends joined at their rear ends by an integral, curved and edge upstanding bight panel portion with the inner surfaces of the rear ends of the wings and the central portion of the lower margin of the bight panel portion including fluent material filled flexible pads supported therefrom and the outer surfaces of the rear ends of the wings and the outer surface of the bight panel portion above the lower margin thereof provided with thistle-type fastening strips for coacting releasable anchoring to similar opposing thistle-type fastener strips secured to the inner surfaces of the athletic shoe top in which the insert is placed, the insert being constructed of stiff, but somewhat flexive material.

Abstract: Supporting device, particularly usable for motorcycling boots including a semirigid body which is formed monolithically and can be associated with the boot upper. The body is provided with a band which surrounds the lateral and rear regions of the foot. The body also has a pair of wings which embrace the malleolar region. A device is thus obtained which has optimum support characteristics for the upper and protective characteristics for the ankle region of the user.

Abstract: A therapeutic device includes an ankle-controlling section slidably attached to a foot-supporting section. Sliding the ankle-controlling section with respect to the foot-supporting section changes the angle between the two sections to flex a wearer's foot in a desired manner. The device includes a plurality of soles which are spaced from the user's heel to prevent ulceration of the heel, and a swing arm outrigger that is pendently supported on the ankle-controlling section as well as at least one replaceable liner. A template is located on the ankle-controlling section so exact angles can be set and recorded.

Abstract: A lightweight athletic shoe with an ankle support system and a foot comfort and support system is provided. The ankle support system, which includes an integral brace with removable ankle support elements, may be modified by the wearer to vary the amount of support provided as needed. The foot comfort and support system includes a composite insole with a spongy, moisture absorbing layer and an air layer with an air-filled arch support and an air-filled upper foot comfort cushion located around the shoelace-holding eyelets. Air-filled pockets in the shoe upper provide design elements and contribute to the reduction in the weight of the shoe.

Abstract: A customized fit shoe, and particularly a high-top ice hockey skate, having a plurality of interior inflatable chambers. The chambers are configured and inflatable to different amounts to conform to the contours of the arch and the area below the malleoli of the foot in the shoe. The inflation of the chambers is accurately and easily adjusted through an upper push-to-deflate valve. When thereby adjusted, the concavities of the arch and ankle are filled without restricting the plantar or dorsi flexion of the foot.

Abstract: The skate with aligned wheels includes a shell and a quarter. The quarter is provided with a plurality of holes adapted to engage with a plurality of lugs of the shell for adjusting the position of the quarter on the shell.

Abstract: An ankle-supporting shoe comprising a sole member having a mid-sole attached to the top surface thereof. Attached to the upper surface of the mid-sole and a toe portion of the top surface of the sole member is a brace member including a base portion formed to suit the shape of the wearer's foot and lateral and medial struts extending upwardly from the base portion. A boot upper is attached to the sole member in a manner wherein the lateral strut extends upwardly within a lateral side panel portion of the boot upper, with the medial strut extending upwardly within a medial side panel portion of the boot upper. An inflatable bladder member is selectively insertable into vamp and ankle portions of the boot upper which is sized and configured to extend about the midfoot ankle and heel of the wearer's foot when the foot is inserted into the boot upper.

Abstract: An ankle supporting shoe comprising a sole member. Attached to the top surface of the sole member is a midsole including a planar portion having a continuous flange formed partially about and extending upwardly from the planar portion. Attached to the upper surface of the midsole and a toe portion of the top surface of the sole member is a structural member including a base portion formed to suit the shape of the wearer's foot and lateral and medial struts extending upwardly from the base portion. A boot is attached to the sole member in a manner wherein the lateral strut extends between the outer surface of a lateral side portion of the boot and the inner surface of the flange, with the medial strut extending between the outer surface of a medial side portion of the boot and the inner surface of the flange.

Abstract: An ankle supporting shoe comprising a sole member. Attached to the top surface of the sole member is a midsole including a planar portion having a continuous flange formed partially about and extending upwardly from the planar portion. Attached to the upper surface of the midsole and a toe portion of the top surface of the sole member is a structural member including a base portion formed to suit the shape of the wearer's foot and lateral and medial struts extending upwardly from the base portion. A boot is attached to the sole member in a manner wherein the lateral strut extends between the outer surface of a lateral side portion of the boot and the inner surface of the flange, with the medial strut extending between the outer surface of a medial side portion of the boot and the inner surface of the flange.

Abstract: In the custom-fitting of athletic footwear, such as ski boots and hockey skates, which include an outer shell and an inner bladder, a patch is provided between the shell and the bladder at a selected location where there is a poor fit between the shell and a wearer's foot. The patch forms a receptacle which can be inflated or otherwise supplied with a filler, such as foam, to an extent sufficient to improve the fit at the selected location.

Abstract: Foot securing device, particularly usable in trekking boots, including a traction element which has a first portion which embraces the upper heel and malleolar region and a second portion which is curved at the foot instep region and defines grip loops for laces. The device furthermore includes a third portion which passes below approximately the median region of the sole of the foot. The device allows, once the boot has been closed, to optimally support the foot while walking, since the foot is secured in the regions overlying the heel and the foot instep.

Abstract: A shoe is provided comprising a sole, a sock attached to the sole, and a form-retaining shell attached to the sole, at least partially enclosing the sock, and not attached to the sock above the region of the sole, such that the sole may flex in use. The shell, an ankle restraint fastener and a heelband provide ankle support.

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.

Abstract: Athletic footwear including a pair of resilient ankle braces which are supported to the sole, inner lining and a separately bound calf support collar of an athletic shoe. The braces are configured of a deformable polymer and include apertures shaped to accommodate protruding ankle bones. Curved lower ends of each brace mount to the heel region of the sole. Formed pockets or restraint means support the braces to the shoe liner. A separately mounted, cushioned collar restrains the upper brace end to the calf. In other constructions, one or more cushioned brace portions may be supported between the shoe and foot. In still another construction, a two-piece, hinged polymer brace is considered.

Abstract: A conformable device (20) containing a conformable material (41) substantially comprising fluid matter which forms a resilient material substantially comprising solid matter after a working time is used in an article of footwear (44) in order to enhance conformance, comfort, fit, stability, cushioning and shock-absorption. The conformable material (41) is contained within a chamber (51) of suitable configurations. In addition, a foam material (66) of select shape generally conforming to a portion of the wearer's anatomy can be used in cooperation with the conformable material (41), as well as a void (40) containing a gas. The invention permits accommodation to a wide range of anatomical features and characteristics found amongst a large percentage of the general public and application within numerous types of footwear (44).

Abstract: Apart from an intermittent massage on the soft tissue surrounding the medial and lateral malleolus, the ankle joint bandage renders possible a deep-acting transverse friction on the attachment of the Achilles tendon; it consists of an anatomically configured tubular body (11) which is provided with a lower section (16) forming an outsole (16a) and which, in the applied state, embraces half the foot and extends to the calf, while, within the area of the outsole (16a), half a heel (18) is knitted in and which is provided with two anatomically asymmetrically constructed pressure pads (20) located above the paraachillory soft tissue and which, at the medial and at the lateral malleolus, cover the region above Bisgaard's link, each pressure pad being constructed in the form of a shaped member (21) having a lateral rounded-off indentation (27) for accommodating the bony prominence of the ankle, which consists of a soft or soft-elastic material, in which, within the shaped member (21), a rod-shaped friction core (30

Abstract: The invention concerns a sport shoe made of an upper with a heel cap, and including a rigid collar attached to the heel cap of the shoe and intended to surround the lower leg. According to the invention, the upper of the shoe is low, and the attachment of the rigid collar on the upper occurs at the upper end of the latter and essentially at the level of the malleolus.

Abstract: A shoe includes a removable structure, having lateral and medial sheet springs. Each spring has a Y shape and is removably attached, with a rotary-keyed fastener, to the side of the shoe below the ankle. The springs are fastened under tension to each other around the ankle so as to inhibit displacement of the ankle.

Abstract: A shoe is provided with an ankle support member to reduce the risk of ankle injury. The ankle support member is a stiff resilient piece of bendable sheet material including a base portion, and a plurality of lateral and medial strips which are inclined upwardly and rearwardly. The base portion has a U-shaped horizontal cross section which extends into and is bonded to the shoe sole. Some lateral strips are connected to medial strips to form inverted support loops behind the wearer's heel. Other lateral and medial strips have free upper ends which are curved toward each other in a transverse direction, and their stiffness deters lateral movement of the ankle to reduce a risk of ankle injury.

Abstract: A shoe comprising a sole, an upper, and at least one spring. The sole includes a portion for supporting the ball of the foot of a user. The upper is secured to the sole and covers the foot of the user when the user is wearing the shoe. The upper includes a portion extending up above the ankle of the user when the user is wearing the shoe. The sole and upper are moveable between a plantarflexion position and a dorsiflexion position. The spring is secured to the upper for biasing the upper in the plantarflexion position. The spring is loaded and energy stored therein as the upper is moved toward the dorsiflexion position whereby the spring urges the upper back toward the plantarflexion position.

Abstract: An athletic shoe comprising a shoe upper, a shoe tongue and a fastener: heights of the front, lateral and medial sides of the shoe upper are lower than that of the rear side; the upper end of the shoe tongue extends in the right and left directions so that the extended portions may cover the lowered portion of the shoe upper up to a height approximately equal to the rear side of the shoe upper; and the fastener is for tightening the upper end of the shoe upper and the upper end of the shoe tongue surrounding the wearer's ankle portion.

Abstract: A shoe with an integral ankle support preferably for, but not limited to, an athletic shoe, has a plurality of adjustable straps and brace members attached to a shoe upper. The brace members provide semi-rigid support and are attached medially and laterally to the upper inner surface with a rivet in each brace member, thereby allowing movement of the brace members in an anterior and posterior direction about an axis defined by the rivets.

Abstract: A spring shoe device for aiding the user in such activities as jogging or walking, comprising a heel socket for retaining the heel and sole of the user's foot pivotally mounted to a shin brace for bracing the user's shin within the spring shoe device and a spring strap connected therebetween for storing and releasing energy as a result of the user's activity. A toe pad, hingedly connected to the heel socket, provides support for the ball of the user's foot. The user's foot is inserted in the spring shoe device, the heel user's fitting into the heel socket and the lower portion of the user's shin being strapped into the shin brace. As the user does such activities as walking or jogging, the spring strap absorbs energy caused by the impact of the foot with the ground and releases that energy as the foot is extended at the end of each stride.

Abstract: The ankle section of an ice skate, especially an ice hockey skate, should press as little as possible on the ankle of the foot inserted therein, even with tight lacing of the ice skate. For this purpose, the ankle section of the ice skate leg is provided with a recess, and this recess is filled with a pad. The ice skate leg is provided, in the ankle section, with a pivotable leg flap, by means of which the recess and the pad lying therein is coverable from outside. The leg flap is provided with a second lacing region, which cooperates with the other leg lacing. Upon movements of the foot relative to the leg, the pad does not shift relative to the ankle, thus does not rub on the ankle, and accommodate these movements by flexible deformation.

Abstract: A foot and ankle brace is provided which is adapted to be worn within an athletic shoe to provide support for the foot and ankle while permitting limited inversion and eversion of the foot together with unlimited dorsiflexion and plantar flexion. There is provided an inner member including a foot plate which extends around the heel and protects the instep. An inner brace member comprising a U-shaped upper end portion engages the leg above the ankle and integrally formed with the U-shaped member are downwardly extending arms which are pivotally mounted on the upper edge portion of the foot plate. The inner brace is flexible so that it permits inversion and eversion of the foot as well as unlimited dorsiflexion and plantar flexion movement due to the pivotal joint in the inner member.

Abstract: A ski boot comprising an adjustable support for the foot positioned in the heel portion, the support being a substantially U-shaped spring (4) whose crosspiece (5) is positioned in the heel portion of the shell (7) of the boot and whose legs (6) extend forward on both sides inside the shell (7), embracing the foot substantially between the ankle and the heel-bone, the legs (6) being adjustable in various relative positions with respect to each other by an adjusting means (9; 18; 21; 24; 26; 29; 32; 33; 37 38) engaging the cross piece (5) or the legs (6).

Abstract: An ankle brace for providing generalized support to the ankle has a base and a tongue assembly that is separate from the base and is connected to the base in encompassing relationship to the ankle by a lace. The base has forward lateral and medial edges that straddle the foot and ankle, each edge having a row of lace eyelets. The tongue assembly has a wrap that fits over the front and the forward side portions of the foot and ankle, and a frontal member that overlies the front superior foot portion. The frontal member has lateral and medial edges that are situated close to the lateral and medial edges of the base, each edge also having a row of lace eyelets. A single lace has a lateral segment that is alternately trained through the lateral eyelets of the frontal tongue member and the lateral edge of the base, and a medial segment that is alternately trained through eyelets on the medial edge of the frontal tongue member and the medial edge of the base.

Abstract: An athletic shoe having sheet springs being rigidly fixed below a portion of the springs corresponding to the wearers ankle. The springs being unaffixed to the upper above a wearers ankle allowing the upper portion of the spring to stand free of the side of the shoe.

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.