A lightweight, flexible gymnastic shoe is disclosed. The shoe includes an upper formed of a lightweight synthetic fabric. A relatively broad closure strap has a first end fixed to a medial inside surface of the upper in the area of the arch and a second free end for detachable attachment to the medial outside of the upper. A hook and pile fastener selectively fastens the second end of the closure strap to the upper. A sole is attached to an outer bottom surface of the upper, and is formed of a relatively thin resilient material located only below the toe, ball and heel areas. A liner is located inside the upper and extends along substantially the entire length of the inside top surface of the upper. The liner is formed of a relatively low density cushioning material. A metatarsal pad is located along the liner only in the area of the first and second metatarsal heads of a wearer's foot, and a heel pad is located along the liner in the heel area. The pads are formed of a shock-absorbing material different from and having a higher density than the material of the liner. An arch support is formed of a built up area of material positioned below the medial arch area.
This invention comprises generally an integral insert for a golf shoe having several raised protuberances extending upwardly from a base shaped to fit on and cover the inner sole of the shoe. The protuberances are resilient and can be made from cellular plastic or elastomer, or can be molded integrally with the base. One protuberance tapers inwardly from the outer edge of the insert and extends from the heel to the end of the toes, and another protuberance tapers inwardly from the inner edge in the middle section.
An insole for high heel footwear is designed to provide comfort and support cushioning and significantly reduce shock and vibration through the skeletal system. The insole is comprised of a relatively thin layer of open cell, flexible, resilient foam of low compression set, a heel bucket which extends into the heel of the shoe or an implant which is posiitoned at the heel and a metatarsal insert. The heel bucket or implant, and the metatarsal insert are formed from a shock absorbing, viscoelastic polyurethane elastomer to moderate the accleration of heel and metatarsal strike generated shock waves.
A levered footwear to provide a manipulating force to an aquatic board is described. The footwear has a rigid structure extending to the rear of the heel of the wearer, which is attached to a flexible member covering a portion of the wearer's foot. An adjustable strapping holds the flexible member in place on the wearer's foot.
A shoe insert and a laminating methods are provided. A first layer of cellular thermoplastic foam and a second layer of cellular thermoplastic foam are laminated together in facing relation to form a unitary insert by the application of heat and pressure after each of the layers had been previously formed as a separate unit.
A dancer's shoe, slipper or the like having a stiff sole comprised of split front and rear soles separated at the arch. To enable the dancer to stand on pointe, the front sole is "cup" shaped with a generally "C" shaped cross-section. The upstanding wall of the front sole is attached to the sides and may extend up the front of the shoe box. This enables the front sole to bend upward around an axis across the foot when the foot bends but prevents the front sole from bending downward around such an axis which enables the dancer to stand on pointe on the tip of the shoe. The wall may be notched to facilitate bending at a particular location. There may be a rear sole spaced from the front sole behind the arch. To stiffen the shoe body, a toe box is provided in the front portion of the shoe upper.
