A shock absorbing system for impact energy dissipation employs removable unitary cells of compressible members in communication with a reservoir and containing a first working fluid. Resilient structural members may be placed intermediate the compressible members to deform responsive to compression to provide both energy dissipation and resilient recovery of the compression cylinders to their uncompressed state.

An inner sole structure for being mounted inside footwear for engagement by the foot comprises a middle sole part covered by a top part. The middle sole part defines has a thickness providing for supporting the foot and defines a longitudinal channel devoid of any material therein and defining an opening covered by the top sole part. When the inner sole structure is inside the footwear and engaged by the foot, the longitudinal channel is positioned under the foot of the wearer and is aligned with a longitudinal portion of the foot corresponding to a plantar fascia position of the foot to avoid tension against this foot portion. The inner sole structure comprises a support element for being mounted to an inner sole part of the footwear to be engaged by the foot. The support member is positioned to be engaged by a region of the foot corresponding to a position extending between at least near a fifth metatarsal rear end position of the foot to a heel bone position of the foot for providing stability to the foot for controlled supination.

Footwear uppers include a footwear upper base formed from one or more component parts and including: (i) an instep region including at least one of a tongue base region or instep base region and (ii) a heel-containing region. A bladder is engaged with the footwear upper. The bladder includes: (i) at least a first instep chamber engaged with the instep region, (ii) at least a first heel and/or ankle support chamber engaged with the heel-containing region, and (iii) a first fluid line connecting the first instep chamber and the first heel and/or ankle support chamber and placing the first instep chamber in fluid communication with the first heel and/or ankle support chamber. Fluid moving from the first instep chamber to the first heel and/or ankle support chamber (e.g., under force applied by a footwear securing strap) provides further support for the wearer's heel and/or ankle.

Footwear uppers include a footwear upper base formed from one or more component parts and including: (i) an instep region including at least one of a tongue base region or instep base region and (ii) a heel-containing region. A bladder is engaged with the footwear upper. The bladder includes: (i) at least a first instep chamber engaged with the instep region, (ii) at least a first heel and/or ankle support chamber engaged with the heel-containing region, and (iii) a first fluid line connecting the first instep chamber and the first heel and/or ankle support chamber and placing the first instep chamber in fluid communication with the first heel and/or ankle support chamber. Fluid moving from the first instep chamber to the first heel and/or ankle support chamber (e.g., under force applied by a footwear securing strap) provides further support for the wearer's heel and/or ankle.

The present invention relates to shoe, in particular a sports shoe. The shoe includes a sole plate having in a forefoot area a plurality of leaf spring elements, wherein the sole plate and the plurality of leaf spring elements are manufactured as a single piece. Each of the plurality of leaf spring elements has one free end not connected with the sole plate.

The present invention relates to shoe, in particular a sports shoe. The shoe includes a sole plate having in a forefoot area a plurality of leaf spring elements, wherein the sole plate and the plurality of leaf spring elements are manufactured as a single piece. Each of the plurality of leaf spring elements has one free end not connected with the sole plate.

The present invention relates to shoe, in particular a sports shoe. The shoe includes a sole plate having in a forefoot area a plurality of leaf spring elements, wherein the sole plate and the plurality of leaf spring elements are manufactured as a single piece. Each of the plurality of leaf spring elements has one free end not connected with the sole plate.

The present invention relates to shoe, in particular a sports shoe. The shoe includes a sole plate having in a forefoot area a plurality of leaf spring elements, wherein the sole plate and the plurality of leaf spring elements are manufactured as a single piece. Each of the plurality of leaf spring elements has one free end not connected with the sole plate.

A shoe with a spring heel is provided. The shoe includes a shoe top portion, a sole and a spring. The shoe top portion is operable to retain a user foot within. The sole is secured to the bottom of the shoe top portion. The sole includes a front toe portion and a rear heel portion. The rear heel portion includes an upper inner surface and lower inner surface formed by a cutout portion. The spring is disposed within the cutout portion. The spring includes an upper plate and a lower plate joined by a U-shaped bend. The upper plate is secured to the upper inner surface and the lower plate is secured to the lower inner surface of the rear heel portion.

A shoe with a spring heel is provided. The shoe includes a shoe top portion, a sole and a spring. The shoe top portion is operable to retain a user foot within. The sole is secured to the bottom of the shoe top portion. The sole includes a front toe portion and a rear heel portion. The rear heel portion includes an upper inner surface and lower inner surface formed by a cutout portion. The spring is disposed within the cutout portion. The spring includes an upper plate and a lower plate joined by a U-shaped bend. The upper plate is secured to the upper inner surface and the lower plate is secured to the lower inner surface of the rear heel portion.