The present invention relates generally to a functional shoe having spaced front and rear outsoles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a functional shoe having spaced front and rear outsoles, the functional shoe providing comfort to a user by being flexibly deformed to conform to a shape or walking form of a user's foot during walking, and guiding a tandem gait by allowing a front portion of the foot to be leaned inward while allowing an inside portion of the foot to be leaned inward at the moment when the foot contacts the ground during walking.

A sole structure includes a sole plate having a foot-facing surface with a forefoot portion, and a ground-facing surface opposite from the foot-facing surface. The sole plate includes a plurality of grooves extending transversely relative to a longitudinal axis of the sole plate, in the forefoot region of the foot-facing surface. A flex control insert includes an upper surface, and a lower surface opposite the upper surface. The flex control insert includes a plurality of ribs protruding from the lower surface of the flex control insert, which extend transversely relative to the longitudinal axis of the sole plate. Each one of ribs is disposed within a different respective one of the grooves. The ribs are strong in compression, and maintain their volume to resist compression by the grooves as the sole plate flexes in a longitudinal direction to increase the bending stiffness of the sole plate.

The footwear cushioning invention includes a floating elastic plate that stores and returns elastic energy to provide cushioning through deflection of the elastic plate. Cushioning is by energy return rather than the compression of a foam. Footwear cushioning utilizes a deflection plate integrated into the heel of the shoe for providing shock attenuation and energy absorption when a wearer impacts a hard surface with the shoe. The deflection plate can be carbon fiber because it increases energy return and minimizes energy loss. A cavity can be formed in a midsole of the shoe underneath the deflection plate to allow the plate to flex into the cavity when pressed down upon by a wearer's heel, thereby accepting the energy of a downward step. A post can be located in the center of the cavity underneath the deflection plate that allows support and minimizes excessive deflection of the deflection plate.

An exercise apparatus includes a pair of apparatuses wearable on feet of a user. Each apparatus is configurable between expanded configurations and compressed configurations to simulate a selected motion when the user wearing the pair of apparatuses travels by foot. One of the apparatuses can move towards an expanded configuration while the other apparatus moves towards a compressed configuration.

A shank for an article of footwear including a substantially planar base portion extending within a first plane in the longitudinal and lateral directions and a substantially planar ramp portion designed to absorb footwear loads in a vertical direction, the ramp portion extending, in an uncompressed state, within a second plane that is oblique to the first plane. The base portion and the ramp portion are arranged such that they do not overlap in the vertical direction. A sole assembly is also described and includes an outsole divided into a first portion located at a forefoot portion of the sole assembly and a second portion located at an arch portion of the sole assembly. The second portion is designed to contact the midsole in a compressed state and form a gap between when a load is removed. Related methods of manufacturing are also described.

A plurality of orthotic systems are provided. One bi-layer system is constructed from a single sheet of fabric that is molded into two layers. One tri-layer system includes a base layer; a mid-layer, and an upper layer. The upper layer is joined to the mid-layer and the mid-layer is joined to the base layer. The coupling of the base layer, the mid-layer and the upper layer create a rear spring section, a mid-spring section and a front spring section in which the upper layer is suspended over the mid-layer and the heel portion is suspended on the proximal heel end of the base layer.

An article of footwear is provided and includes an upper having a bottom surface and a length and a sole secured to the bottom surface of the upper and including a midsole and an outsole, the outsole including a peripheral stabilizing member extending outwardly from the upper along a periphery of the upper from a medial side to a lateral side of the upper, the peripheral stabilizing member having a width and a length that are each at least 20% of the length of the upper.

An article of footwear is provided and includes an upper and a sole secured to the upper and including a stabilizing member extending outwardly from the upper. The stabilizing member includes a groove that separates the stabilizing member into a medial balancing member and a lateral balancing member, and where the medial balancing member and the lateral balancing member move independently of each other to provide balance and stability on different terrains.

An article of footwear that is adjustable so as to optimize the pressure distribution and pressure equalization on the foot surfaces. The footwear is configured to adjust to a user's anatomy so as to optimize pressure distribution and equalization on the foot, where the footwear is capable of adjusting the pressure distribution on the foot substantially in real time.

A method for producing the shock absorbing member includes: inserting in which each of tubes is housed in a corresponding one of first housings such that molding spaces and the tubes communicate with one another; and molding in which a thermoplastic resin material to form a connection member is heated to melt and injected from a gate toward the molding spaces and the tubes so that the tubes and the connection member are integrally formed.