A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.

A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.

A convertible shoe may include a sole and a plurality of interchangeable heel portions, each selectively attachable to the sole. The heel portions may each include a mounting surface configured to interface with a heel receiver of the sole. The heel receiver may include a fixed hook and a movable hook, with the movable hook being operable by an actuator coupled to a bottom surface of the sole. In some examples, an upper is secured to the sole of the shoe by one or more clamping plates. In some examples, the sole of the shoe is configured to be biased into a default bend corresponding to a high-heeled state even when a low heel is attached to the heel receiver.

A convertible shoe may include a sole and a plurality of interchangeable heel portions, each selectively attachable to the sole. The heel portions may each include a mounting surface configured to interface with a heel receiver of the sole. The heel receiver may include a fixed hook and a movable hook, with the movable hook being operable by an actuator coupled to a bottom surface of the sole. In some examples, an upper is secured to the sole of the shoe by one or more clamping plates. In some examples, the sole of the shoe is configured to be biased into a default bend corresponding to a high-heeled state even when a low heel is attached to the heel receiver.

An article of footwear including an upper and a sole assembly configured to provide broad base structural support and stability to a wearer's foot to promote pain prevention in the wearer. The footwear can include a midsole including a stability bridge that enhances torsional rigidity in an arch region, a bifurcated rigid central shank disposed in the arch region under the stability bridge that is visible to a viewer of the footwear and an outsole disposed below the midsole and the bifurcated central shank. The outsole can include a ladder tread section, disposed below the bifurcated central shank, that less than 5 mm above a lowermost surface of the remainder of the outsole so that the outsole includes a substantially flat ground contacting surface to promote stability. The outsole also can include an upwardly curved rearmost heel strike tread, and heel and/or forefoot impact absorption comfort pods in associated midsole voids.

An article of footwear including an upper and a sole assembly configured to provide broad base structural support and stability to a wearer's foot to promote pain prevention in the wearer. The footwear can include a midsole including a stability bridge that enhances torsional rigidity in an arch region, a bifurcated rigid central shank disposed in the arch region under the stability bridge that is visible to a viewer of the footwear and an outsole disposed below the midsole and the bifurcated central shank. The outsole can include a ladder tread section, disposed below the bifurcated central shank, that less than 5 mm above a lowermost surface of the remainder of the outsole so that the outsole includes a substantially flat ground contacting surface to promote stability. The outsole also can include an upwardly curved rearmost heel strike tread, and heel and/or forefoot impact absorption comfort pods in associated midsole voids.

An article of footwear includes a sole structure. The article of footwear further includes a first member that extends away from the sole structure. The first member at least partially defines a medial side and a lateral side of the article of footwear. Moreover, the second member has a body, a first support arm, and a second support arm. The body is attached to the first member such that the first member and the body cooperate to define a void that is configured to receive a foot. The body is also attached to the sole structure. The first support arm is attached to the first member on the medial side, and the second support arm is attached to the first member on the lateral side.

An article of footwear includes a sole structure. The article of footwear further includes a first member that extends away from the sole structure. The first member at least partially defines a medial side and a lateral side of the article of footwear. Moreover, the second member has a body, a first support arm, and a second support arm. The body is attached to the first member such that the first member and the body cooperate to define a void that is configured to receive a foot. The body is also attached to the sole structure. The first support arm is attached to the first member on the medial side, and the second support arm is attached to the first member on the lateral side.

An athletic shoe extending between toe (1) and heel (3) and comprising upper (5) attached to outsole (7) via comfort sole (9). According to the invention, the athletic shoe comprises shell (13) make of plastic or composite material, inserted between upper (5) and comfort sole (9) and to which it is attached at heel (1).

An article of footwear includes an upper, a first sole member, and a second sole member. The first sole member is connected to the upper. Together, the first sole member and the upper define a cavity. The first sole member includes an outer surface and a textured inner surface, the textured inner surface defining a pattern of shapes. The second sole member is positioned in the cavity. The second sole member includes a textured lower surface directly engaging the textured inner surface of the first sole member. The textured lower surface of the second sole member is complementary to the textured inner surface of the first sole member.