Abstract: Improved cushioned footwear of the type in which, in the past, nails, such as heel nails, gang nails and/or heel seat nails extended into the heel area of the footwear and/or in which, in the past, such footwear included a rigid shank which extended into the heel area, is formed with an opening in the heel area. The heel plug of a cushioning element is placed in the opening. The apparatus for forming the opening is also disclosed.

Abstract: A high-heel shoe design applicable to varying heel heights, having a heel seat having a substantially neutral or slightly downwardly inclined angle (relative to the shank plane), and an arch support extending forward from the heel seat and having a first portion which supports the head of the navicular of the wearer in approximately the same plane (relative to the shank plane) as the wearer's heel bones. The shoe also includes a shank extending downwardly and forwardly from the first portion of the arch support, and a toe support region which extends at an inclination upwardly and forwardly from the shank whereupon the first metatarsal of the wearer is buttressed by the phalanges of the wearer to prevent forward sliding of the foot of the wearer relative to the shoe, thereby preventing jamming of the human digits into the toe portion of the shoe, while an increase of about 16% or more of the wearer's weight is borne by the heel seat, as compared to standard high heel dress shoes.

Abstract: A two piece shoe bottom construction including a platform structure and a heel structure. The platform structure has a forward toe support portion and a rear raised portion, the rear raised portion being elevated substantially above the toe portion so that it will correspond to a particular height of a heel portion. The heel structure has a heel portion and a downwardly inclined protruding tongue portion integrally formed with the upper front part of the heel portion. The protruding tongue portion has a concave shaped lower side. An alignment anchor is integrally formed with the protruding tongue portion and located at one end which is remote from the heel portion. The platform structure has a closed cavity which extends from the middle of the toe portion through the end of the rear raised portion.

Abstract: A lift for shoes is formed by injection molding a thermoplastic polyurethane resin which contains carbon fiber formed into linear pieces and cut to a predetermined length. This lift for shoes is a nonslip lift having a high abrasion resistance, a high impact resistance, a high moldability and a high operation efficiency concerning the production of shoes.

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

Abstract: An elevating shoe includes a shoe body having an upper, a sole, a heel, an inner member provided in the shoe body for raising the height of the wearer. The inner member includes an elevating portion formed with a top portion defined by a minimum area necessary to support the heel bone of the wearer, a forward slope portion, and a rearward slope portion, the forward and rearward slope portions being positioned between a peripheral edge of the elevating portion and the top portion, and extending from the peripheral edge of the elevating portion to the top portion with a substantially continuous gradient which rises toward the top portion, and being connected to the top portion with an identical color to one another. The third person is hard to perceive the provision of the deceptive inner member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe having an improved unitary dual hardness dowel-lift with superior wear and non-slip characteristics. The dual hardness dowel-lift includes a hard polyurethane top portion and a soft polyurethane bottom portion. The bottom portion is cast onto the top portion. The bottom portion is a softer material which possesses a hardness lower than the top portion as measured by the Shore A Hardness test, and preferably is a thermoset polyurethane elastomer.

Abstract: Transformable shoe frames are described wherein the heel of the shoe can be extended downwardly in a high heel position or converted to a low heel position. The shoe frame is made in sections that are pivotally connected to each other and mechanisms have been provided to lock the sections together in varying positions, so that the angle between the toe portion and the remainder of the shoe can be adjusted to maximize the comfort of the wearer depending on whether the heel is in a high heel or a low heel position. Additional mechanisms are illustrated to change the contour of the arch when the heel height is changed. In a preferred embodiment the heel is stowable under the sole of the shoe and the sole will have a well defined flexible region in the distal metatarsal region of the shoe, either by having a hinged joint or built in flexibility.

Abstract: A very long wearing material to replace regions that erode rapidly in the heels of outdoor shoes. The material is made by embedding relatively large, round, wear-resistant particles in a very hard urethane binder. Applications include both applying the material directly to the heel as a paste with curing in situ and casting in molds for attachment to the heel with an adhesive.

Abstract: A high-heeled shoe has a resilient U-shaped blade which forms the heel of the shoe, one limb of the blade being fixed to a rear portion of the sole of the shoe, and the other limb of the blade resting on the ground. Between said one and said other limbs, the blade is gently curved.

Abstract: For use with a shoe having an upper and a sole and with a block downwardly extending from the lower portion of the sole adjacent to the heel and with a magnetic plate facing downwardly from the block, an improved replaceable heel having an upper surface with an upwardly facing recess therein and a magnetically responsive plate face upwardly on the lower surface of the recess.

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

Abstract: An antiwear and nonskid protective element for a shoe heel comprising (a) an outside first part having a through opening therein, the cross section surface of which increases from the surface contacting the heel to the free end surface; (b) an inside second part that can be fitted into the through opening; and (c) a connecting element for connection between the second part and the heel. The head of the connecting element is buried in the top of the inside part while the body is driven into the shoe heel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to orthopedic splinting articles and methods for forming orthopedic splints at least part way around an animal body part. The splinting articles comprise a unitary blank formed of an open-celled foam sheet impregnated with a water curable, isocyanate functional, polyurethane prepolymer resin. The blank is dimensioned to extend the length of the body part to be immobilized and to partially, but preferably not completely, extend around the circumference of the body part. Upon activation of the resin impregnated foam sheet and molding the same around the body part, an orthopedic splint is formed. The present invention further relates to the use of such resin-impregnated foam materials as walking heels or laminates betweeen casts and walking heels, as supports for orthotic devices such as arch supports for foot orthotics, and as protective coverings for animal hoofs.

Abstract: A shoe, in particular a ladies high-heeled shoe, has a heel tap (3) fastened by means of a pin (4) to the heel (1), the pin having a head (13) which passes, secured against rotation, through a hole in the heel tap. The pin extends, with an expansion seat, within an expansion sleeve (6) of the heel and has a longitudinal bore (17) of circular cylindrical shape into which an expansion nail is driven. The expansion nail (18) has a non-circular cross section.

Abstract: An antiwear and nonskid protective element for a shoe heel, which comprises an outside first part in which a through opening is made the surface of the cross section of which is greater on the side in contact with the heel of the shoe than on the side of its free end; and a second part comprising a head, whose shape and dimensions correspond approximately to those of said opening, and a rod provided with a rigid inside reinforcement, the rod being able to be driven with force into a hole made in the heel for the fastening of the element. Thus, an effective and reliable fastening of the element to the free end of the heel.

Abstract: A bowling shoe to be worn on the sliding foot of a bowler has a heel that presents outer and inner bottom surfaces, the outer bottom surface having a relatively high coefficient of friction as compared to the inner surface. The outer surface can be white rubber and the inner surface can be leather. Preferably the heel is U-shaped for improved stability. A shoe for the non-sliding foot has a sole with a higher coefficient of friction and a uniform heel surface.

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

Abstract: A ballet slipper has a wedge shaped heel the front end of which is beneath the metatarsal arch and the rear surface of which is just behind the heel bone.

Abstract: A shoe sole and heel construction. The heel consists of metal pins fixed to the sole by means of sockets. Each socket is provided with a cavity in which the enlarged head of a pin is locked by means of a screw. A deformable pad may be located between the screw and the pin head, or the head may be locked in the cavity by means of a hardenable material.

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: An arch and heel assembly for shoes having an arch and a heel secured to each other at their upper ends. A connecting link has its front end secured to the base of the arch and its rear end secured to the base of the heel to define a substantially triangular open area between the arch, the heel and the connecting link.

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

Abstract: A method of rigidly fixing an end portion of an elongated column member within a cavity in a body member. A quantity of hardenable adhesive material is placed into the cavity such that when the column member end portion is inserted into the cavity, the resulting displacement of a portion of the adhesive material causes the adhesive material substantially exactly to fill the cavity. The column member end portion is then inserted into the cavity, and the adhesive material is allowed to harden. The angular position of the column member relative to the body member can be adjusted as desired prior to hardening of the adhesive material. Preferably, the method is automated, including injecting a measured amount of adhesive material into the cavity and holding the column member and the body member in a jig while the adhesive material hardens. The adhesive material can be an epoxy resin, and if desired, the hardening can be accomplished by heat curing.

Abstract: A lightweight shoe heel of low visibility comprising a support member for contact with the ground and a further support member attached to the shoe, the support members being interconnected by a plurality of columns of high tensile strength material.

Abstract: A device for the recording of the number of steps taken by a pedestrian incorporates a digital incremental counter in the heel -- or attached to the heel -- of a shoe. An operating member projects below the heel and initiates actuation of the counter each time the heel is brought into contact with the ground. Reading the digital display at the beginning and at the end of a stage in a trip yields the number of steps taken and a rough measure of the distance traversed. A reset lever or button may also be provided to zero the display at the start of the measurement cycle.

Abstract: Shoe and heel structure features a combination of functions including heel removability and decoration, utilizing a sliding, removably mating engagement of the heel with the shoe and means for effecting continuous or intermittent light emission within the heel structure; all coupled with translucent characteristic of the heel and coloration as to provide, in combination, a unique decorative character, coupled with changeability and thereby decorator flexibility.