Patent ID: 6401366
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: A43B

Abstract:
An article of footwear having a heel region, an arch region, and a forefoot region comprising:a sole having at least a heel portion in the heel region and a forefoot portion in the forefoot region; an upper secured to the sole; and a semi-rigid stabilizing member extending from said forefoot region and through said arch region to said heel region, said stabilizing member including first and second arms, said first arm being connected to the footwear in said forefoot region adjacent said forefoot portion of said sole, said first arm extending both upwardly and backwardly in at least said forefoot region adjacent said forefoot portion of said sole, and said first arm extending into said arch region and to an apex, said second arm being connected to said footwear in said heel region adjacent said heel portion of said sole and extending upward to connect to the apex of said first arm, said first and second arms of said stabilizing member allowing said forefoot and heel portions of said sole to axial twist with respect to one another while generally resisting movement in a direction transverse to the longitudinal length of said sole.