Patent ID: 6962009
Filing Date: 2005-11-08
Classification: A43B,A43D

Abstract:
1. A shoe comprising: a bottom; a major longitudinal axis; an upper including an arch region and a heel region; a sole including a rear sole, the rear sole being secured below the heel region of the upper, the rear sole having a bottom surface having a perimeter, the bottom surface having a ground-engaging portion, the ground-engaging portion of the bottom surface including at least four portions each having a generally circular shape when viewed from beneath the bottom surface of the rear sole, each of the at least four circular-shaped portions having an outer edge proximate at least a portion of the perimeter of the bottom surface of the rear sole, at least two of the at least four circular-shaped portions being located proximate a medial side of the shoe and at least two of the at least four circular-shaped portions being located proximate a lateral side of the shoe, each of the at least four circular-shaped portions having a center, the centers of four of the at least four circular-shaped portions forming the corners of a quadrilateral having two opposed sides that are generally parallel with the major longitudinal axis of the shoe, each of the circular-shaped portions of the bottom surface of the rear sole having a diameter, the diameter of each of the circular-shaped portions being less than one-half the maximum width of the bottom surface of the rear sole as measured on a line substantially perpendicular to the major longitudinal axis of the shoe from a point on the medial side of the shoe to a point on the lateral side of the shoe; plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, an interior portion and peripheral portions and positioned between at least a portion of the outsole of the rear sole and at least a portion of the heel region of the upper, at least one of the peripheral portions of the plate being proximate at least one of the medial side of the shoe, the lateral side of the shoe and a rear of the shoe, the interior portion of the plate being positioned over a void and exposed to the void, at least a portion of the plate capable of being deflected in a direction substantially perpendicular to the major longitudinal axis of the shoe; least one opening in the shoe, the opening being in communication with the void to expose the interior portion of the plate from outside the shoe through the opening and the void; and arch bridge integral with the plate extending from a position proximate a forward portion of the plate, forward beneath at least a portion of the arch region of the upper.