Abstract:
The present invention relates to footwear which has improved shock absorbency due to cushioning within a two-plate system. The orthotic or upper plate and bottom plate are separated by cushioning. The orthotic plate preferably provides rigid support between heel and metatarsal region. The bottom plate may utilize multiple rigid segments whereby the toe region is flexible. The bottom plate may also have gripping elements which are permanently or removeably attachable to the plate to compensate for wear, or for a change in activities. The cushioning between the upper and bottom plates distributes force produced at individual points on the bottom plate over the entire upper plate, thereby eliminating pressure points on the foot.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation in part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/463, 694, filed Aug. 10, 2006, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/409,751, filed Apr. 7, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,111,416. 
         [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to footwear which has improved shock absorbency, comfort, and versatility. 
         [0004]    2. Background Art 
         [0005]    The following patents are believed to be representative of prior art efforts to solve the problems addressed by the current invention and other problems: U.S. Pat. Nos. 2, 682, 712; 4,377,042; 5,317,822; 5,353,522; 5,410,821; 5,615,497; 5,996,252; 5,727,334; 6,345,454; 3,538,628; 4,279,083; 4,377,042; 4,463,505; 5,317,822; 5,339,543; 5,353,522; 5,410,821; 5,555,650; 5,615,497; 5,727,334; 5,782,014; 5,836,090; 5,867,923; 5,996,252; 6,205,683; 6,345,454; 6,389,712; US Publications 2003/0200675; 2005/0144254; and 2003/0230007. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is an objective of the present invention to provide improved footwear. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, in one possible embodiment, footwear is provided that may comprise one or more elements such as, for example, an upper and a rigid orthotic plate adjacent to the upper. Padding having a top side and a bottom side is positioned adjacent a lower surface of the rigid orthotic plate. 
         [0008]    A bottom plate may comprise a rigid front portion and a rigid rear portion. The rigid front portion and the rigid rear portion may be connected by a flexible portion in the metatarsal region of the footwear whereby the rigid front portion is bendable with respect to the rigid rear portion. Padding is positioned between the rigid orthotic plate and the bottom plate such that the bottom side of the padding is positioned adjacent an upper surface of the bottom plate. The padding forms a shock absorbing layer thereby preventing contact between the rigid orthotic plate and the bottom plate. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the rigid orthotic plate extends from a metatarsal region of the footwear to a heel area of the footwear. A front section associated with the rigid orthotic plate is bendable with respect to the rigid orthotic plate at the metatarsal region of the footwear. The bendable front section extending from the rigid orthotic plate and the front portion of the bottom plate may bend at the same or approximately the same position in the metatarsal region. 
         [0010]    The front section can be secured to the rigid orthotic plate or separate from it such that the front section is movable with respect to the rigid orthotic plate. In one embodiment, the front section comprises padding or covered padding, which can be extension of the padding between the shoes and/or the like. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, only the padding is positioned between the rigid orthotic plate and the bottom plate. The bottom plate may comprise a smaller maximum thickness than a maximum thickness of the rigid orthotic plate. The rigid orthotic plate may comprise an arched portion between the heel area and the metatarsal region of the footwear. A lower surface of the rigid orthotic plate may be substantially flat from the metatarsal region to the heel area of the footwear. 
         [0012]    The footwear of claim may comprise a plurality of gripping members extending from the lower side of a bottom plate. The gripping members may be mounted so that they do not extend into the padding where they might engage the orthotic plate. The shock absorbing layer formed by the padding isolates and prevents interconnection between the rigid orthotic plate and the gripping members. The gripping members may or may not be removable. 
         [0013]    The present invention provides methods for making footwear which may comprise one or more steps such as utilizing an orthotic plate that is rigid from a heel of the footwear to a metatarsal region of the footwear and providing a toe section extending from the metatarsal region to a toe end of the footwear for use with the orthotic plate. The toe section can be bendable with respect to the orthotic plate at the metatarsal region. Other steps might comprise securing the orthotic plate to an upper and to a top side of padding. Additional steps may comprise securing to the bottom of the padding a bottom plate comprising a first rigid section and a second section. The first rigid section can extend between the heel and the metatarsal region of the footwear, with the second section then extending between the metatarsal region of the footwear and a toe region. The second section is moveable with respect to the first rigid section to permit the user to flex the toes. The second section may also be rigid. 
         [0014]    Padding can be utilized between the orthotic plate and the bottom plate to form a shock absorbing layer which isolates the orthotic plate from the bottom plate thereby preventing contact between the orthotic plate and the bottom plate. 
         [0015]    The method may further comprise steps such as securing the first rigid section to the second rigid section with a flexible portion to permit movement of the first rigid section with respect to the second rigid section. The footwear method may further comprise providing that the toe section is comprised of the padding, which may be covered, and used for flexibly supporting the user&#39;s toes. 
         [0016]    The method may further comprise utilizing only the padding between the orthotic plate and the bottom plate. The method may comprise forming the orthotic plate with a raised arch section. The method may further comprise securing a plurality of gripping members to extend from the lower side of the bottom plate such that mountings for the gripping members do not extend into the padding at all or do not extend to the extent they might contact the orthotic plate. In this way, the shock absorbing layer formed by the padding isolates and prevents interconnection between the orthotic plate and the gripping members. 
         [0017]    In another embodiment, a method for making footwear may comprise utilizing a first plate that is rigid from a heel of the footwear to a metatarsal region of the footwear, securing the first plate with respect to an upper, a top side of padding, and a bottom plate of the footwear so that the padding is between the first plate and the bottom plate. The padding can be used to form a shock absorbing layer to isolate the first plate from the bottom plate thereby preventing contact between the first plate and the bottom plate. Other steps might comprise providing that the bottom plate is formed as a rigid first section and a second section. The first section extends between a heel of the footwear and a metatarsal region of the footwear. The second section extends between the metatarsal region and a toe of the footwear. Other steps may comprise flexibly joining the second section to the first section at the metatarsal region of the footwear. In this embodiment, the first section and the second section bend with respect to each other to allow a toe region between the metatarsal region of the footwear and the toe end of the footwear to bend starting from the metatarsal region. In one embodiment, the second section can be rigid or semi-rigid or flexible. 
         [0018]    The method may utilize a toe region extending from the first plate which is flexible. In one embodiment, only the padding is between the first plate and the bottom plate, which may comprise at least the first section. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       [0019]    For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements may be given the same or analogous reference numbers of a water purifier apparatus in accord with the present invention. 
         [0020]    While the present invention will be described in connection with presently preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents included within the spirit of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an embodiment of the footwear; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of an embodiment of the footwear; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a side view of an embodiment of the footwear; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the footwear; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a footwear embodiment showing a multi-piece orthotic plate; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a footwear embodiment with a plate and gripping members; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a view of an embodiment of high-top footwear with a plate and gripping members; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is an expanded view of an embodiment of footwear; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is an embodiment of a ski boot; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is the bottom view of an embodiment of the footwear; 
           [0031]      FIGS. 11  A, B, and C are side views of possible embodiments of the gripping members that could be utilized in the footwear; 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  is an expanded view of an embodiment of the footwear which may or may not have removable and replaceable components, and/or may or may not utilize closed-cell foam padding; 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  is an expanded view of an embodiment of the footwear which may or may not utilize removable and replaceable components, and/or may or may not utilize foam padding; 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  is an expanded view of an embodiment of the footwear which may or may not utilize removable and replaceable components, and/or may or may not utilize open-cell foam padding; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  is a view of an embodiment of layered padding may or may not utilize layers of open-cell and closed-cell foam and/or other types of padding. 
           [0036]      FIG. 16  is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention which can utilize an upper plate or orthotic and a lower plate which permit movement between the metatarsal region or balls of the feet and the toes; 
           [0037]      FIG. 17  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention wherein a rigid orthotic (upper plate) and a first rigid lower plate portion extend between the heel and the metatarsal region, whereby movement from the metatarsal region can be provided with a second rigid portion for the lower plate and a moveable and/or flexible portion for use with the rigid orthotic (upper plate). 
           [0038]      FIG. 18  is a side view of a possible embodiment of an embodiment of the present invention wherein a moveable toe portion of an upper plate operates in conjunction with a moveable toe region of a lower plate, and wherein the upper and lower plates are rigid between the heel and the metatarsal region. 
       
    
    
       [0039]    While the present invention will described in connection with presently preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents included within the spirit of the invention and as defined in the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0040]    For purposes of the description of this invention, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” and other related terms shall be defined in relation to embodiments of the present invention as it is shown and illustrated in the accompanying figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative structures and processes and still be within the scope and meaning of this disclosure. Further, it is to be understood that any specific dimensions and/or physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are capable of modification and alteration while still remaining within the scope of the present invention and are, therefore, not intended to be limiting. 
         [0041]    One way to increase the comfort and also shock absorbency of footwear is to increase the amount of shock absorbing material and/or by using padding comprised of various materials, especially foam. This is notably advantageous in athletic footwear worn by runners or other athletes who are involved in rigorous sporting activities since the wearer&#39;s footwear and body encounters substantial forces especially from the hard surfaces which are contacted by the wearer&#39;s footwear. And, even in the footwear of this invention worn by non-athletes, padding makes the footwear more comfortable. Other types of padding may comprise cushioning material of various types, air bladders or bubbles, springs, hydraulics and/or other cushioning mechanism. 
         [0042]    In conjunction with the superior shock absorbing advantages of the padding, the padding may be fixably secured or may be wholly or partially removeably attached and interchanged with padding types and/or varying thicknesses that are used for special purposes such as marathons or long distance runs. Also, when the padding shows wear or loses some of the shock absorbing capabilities or has changed compressibility, the worn padding can be replaced with new padding. If desired, by making parts or components of the footwear replaceable, the durability of the footwear may also be enhanced. 
         [0043]    Several variations of footwear of this invention are illustrated in  FIGS. 1-18 .  FIG. 1  shows one variation of the footwear with an upper  30  having an inside  31  and an outside  34 . The footwear also has an orthotic plate or upper plate  50  that has a first surface  53  and a second surface  55 . In one embodiment, the orthotic or upper plate  50  is rigid, at least between the heel and the metatarsal region to support the user&#39;s foot, which is also rigid between the heel and the metatarsal region. A flexible joint  131  (See  FIG. 5 ,  8 ,  16 - 18 ), which may be of many different types, may be provided at the metatarsal region. In this way, the toe region is moveable and may be supported by an extension from the orthotic, which may be. rigid or flexible and/or may simply comprise a padded region. Other embodiments are discussed hereinafter. Orthotic or upper plate  50  may have various shapes such as a curved and raised arch section that is higher than the heel and toe regions. In this embodiment, the heel region can be higher than the toe region. 
         [0044]    A layer of padding  13 , having an upper portion  16  and a bottom side  8 , can also serve as the wear surface. In another embodiment, a bottom plate is utilized. Upper portion  16  may be utilized to support the toe portion of the foot rather than an extension from orthotic or upper plate  50 . Thus, the orthotic or upper plate may be rigid between the heel and metatarsal region, and then padding may support the toe region. 
         [0045]    In one possible embodiment, there are stabilizing blades  19  within the padding. The style of the upper  30  and the manner of securing it to orthotic plate  50  will vary depending on the design of the footwear. The upper  30  includes all types of footwear, and the invention is especially advantageous in closed footwear such as in athletic shoes, work boots, hiking boots, etc. The upper  30  may be construction of any type of material such as canvas, leather, synthetic leather, vinyl, plastic, etc., or a combination thereof and any other materials known to or used by one of ordinary skill in the art. The upper  30  can be secured to the orthotic plate or upper plate using conventional techniques such as gluing, but it could also be stitched and/or secured by adhesive. Alternatively, the upper  30  may be removeably attached to the orthotic plate such as by a stud and aperture connection, Velcro ®, i.e., mated hooks and loops, as shown in  FIG. 8 . As an alternative, other means of attachment such as fasteners, adhesives, magnets, a wedge and aperture connection, a screw, a bolt, a hinge, a staple, a nut, studs, snaps, wedges and a combination thereof may be used, to allow replacement or interchanging of the orthotic plate. An insole  145 , with appropriately sized sides  132  and  137 , which may be made of textile material such as cotton, felt, linen, polyester, or leather, silicon, or other such materials that one of the ordinary skill of the art uses as insoles may also be placed inside the footwear as in, e.g.,  FIG. 5 . 
         [0046]    The orthotic plates of the footwear provide superior support, and typically have a raised arch area  28 , see e.g.,  FIGS. 3-4 , and may also have a flexible or a semi-flexible front portion. The front portion is then bendable with respect to the rigid portion of the orthotic or upper plate. Further, the orthotic plate has a first surface  124  and second surface  126 . The orthotic plate may be a unitary piece or may be formed of more than one piece, with for example, a first piece  122  that typically extends from the metatarsal region to or beyond the front toe area  135 , and a second piece  130  that extends to the rear most portion of the footwear. The second piece  130  is preferably rigid or nearly rigid. A hinge-like area  131  adjacent to the end  121  of the first piece  122  may be semi-flexible or flexible, e.g.,  FIG. 5 . This region may be a soft or flexible plastic, or may comprise a groove, or any other means for permitting movement. If desired, the angle of movement may be in the range of about  30  degrees plus or minus ten or twenty degrees. If desired, the bending may be mostly or perhaps all in the upper direction, as if the user&#39;s toes are pulled upwardly. The orthotic plate typically extends from a metatarsal area  137  of a wearer&#39;s foot, or the balls of the foot, to the heel region and/or rearmost portion of the footwear generally proximate to the heel area. In other embodiments, a bottom plate  80  may also be incorporated below the padding, forming a two-plate system. See  FIGS. 6-8 , and  12 - 14 . The bottom plate may also be formed so as to bend in concert with the upper plate  50 . 
         [0047]    The footwear of this invention has cushioning  13  or padding below the orthotic plate  50 . There may also be an undersole or outsole  25 , see  FIGS. 3-4 , beneath the cushioning or padding  13 , but the padding or portions thereof may also serve as the wear surface  8 . See  FIGS. 1-2 . The undersole or outsole of  25  may be fixedly or removeably attached to the padding by the various ways known to one skilled in the art. The undersole or outsole  25  may be rigid or semi-rigid. In one possible embodiment, the padding  13  can be removable, changeable, and replaceable and is preferably provided in a shape substantially similar and/or identical to the shape of the orthotic plate, such that it will cover the lower surface of the entire orthotic plate. In other embodiments, the padding can extend at least the length and the width of the footwear, although in some embodiments, the padding may be thinner and/or tapered  13   a  in the toe area of the footwear. See e.g.,  FIG. 6 . The padding may be of a variety of heights and may vary depending upon the wearer&#39;s needs and/or uses as well as the type of padding utilized. In one embodiment, the padding is between about ½ inch to about 3½ inches in height in its uncompressed state, but may be of a lesser or greater height as well. In the embodiments without a bottom plate, e.g.,  FIGS. 1-4 , the padding is preferably about one ½ inch to about 3 ½ inches in height and in the embodiments with a bottom plate  80 , see e.g.,  FIGS. 6-8 , and  12 - 15  the padding may be about ½ inch to about 2 inches in height, but may be of other heights as well. 
         [0048]    The padding or cushioning layer  13  may comprise a variety of materials especially foamed materials which have elastic or rebounding properties, such as materials comprised of silicon, neoprene, natural rubber foams, synthetic rubber foams and polyurethane, polyether and polyester foams neoprene, Vinyl Nitrile, Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR), Polyethylene (PE), ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene propylene terpolymer (EPT), EPT/PE/Butyl Rubber, Neoprene/EPT/SBR, epicblorohydrin (ECH), and nitrile (NBR) or a combination thereof, or other cushioning materials known or used by one skilled in the art. Alternatively, in the two plate system other means can be used as cushioning such as leaf and coil wound springs, with or without padding (not shown). The density and cell characteristics of the padding of the foam material are believed to be critical features in terms of providing the appropriate cushioning and rebound characteristics for cushioning and may vary depending upon the type of activity of footwear in question. 
         [0049]    In one embodiment, the cushioning or padding, such as foam  14 , has a low to medium density so it is deformable. A low density padding comprises material within the range of about 0.08 g/cm.sup.3 to about 0.50 g/cm.sup.3. An even more preferred range of densities for padding is material between about 0.1 g/cc to 0.30 g/cc. 
         [0050]    The padding  13  may be constructed of a closed-cell foam  14   b  material, see. e.g.,  FIG. 12 , having a density in the range of about 0.08 g/cc to 0.50 g/cc, or of other suitable densities known to one skilled in the art. Alternatively, open-cell foam  14   a  material, e.g.,  FIG. 14 , having a density in the range of about 0.08 g/cc to 0.40 g/cc may be used, or of other suitable densities known to one skilled in the art. 
         [0051]    Closed-cell foam material, in general, may demonstrate a greater resistance to wear as compared to open-cell foams. Open cell foam is a material where the open-air chambers in the foam are interconnected. This makes for extremely soft and highly compressible foam. While open-cell foam may be very comfortable, it has some disadvantages because of the high compressibility of the foam, especially if it is of a density which is too low or of a material that absorbs water. In contrast, the open air chambers in the closed-cell foam are completely surrounded by foam and not interconnected. As a result, the closed cell foam does not compress easily, yet provides good shock absorbency since the air pockets in the foam are completely encapsulated. As a further alternative, since open-cell foam is typically more comfortable, i.e., more compressible and since closed-cell foam provides firmer support, a dual or multi-density padding may also be used, alternating layers of closed-cell foam  14   b  arid open-cell foam  14   a,  with the closed cell foam giving stability and the open cell foam giving a cushioning effect. See e.g.,  FIG. 15 . Depending upon the materials used and the characteristic desired, the alternating layers may each be of about 0.25 inches to about 1 inch in thickness, but may also be of other thicknesses. 
         [0052]    The foam padding may be fabricated by pouring foamed materials into a frame that is heated and processed into sheets that are then cut to size. However, the cost of cutting and shaping foam is high and results in significant material wastage. To avoid wasting materials, the padding is preferably molded for each size and style of footwear. Additionally, a portion of the foam may be compression molded. 
         [0053]    In some cases, depending upon the characteristics of the foam materials and the height of foam used, the materials may have undesired deformation. To counteract any undesired deformation and/or to control the characteristics of the low density foam, the padding may further may have supporting or stabilizing blades incorporated therein. See  FIGS. 1-4 . In these circumstances, the stabilizing blades  19  may be incorporated into the foam and/or a semi-rigid plate or rigid plate may be positioned below the underside of the cushioning with or without stabilizing blades in the cushioning. 
         [0054]    The stabilizing blades  19  are made of rigid, semi-rigid flexible, and/or semi-flexible materials such as rubber, plastic or denser foams made from EVA, silicon, neoprene, and the like incorporated into the foam, as well as plastic, rubber, metal, metal alloys, vinyl. There are multitudes of ways the stabilizing blades  19  may be arranged or position within the foam and/or cushioning. For example,  FIGS. 1-2  show footwear wherein the stabilizing blades are parallel to one another.  FIGS. 3-4  in contrast, show footwear wherein the stabilizing blades are arranged in a cross hatch or grid fashion. The blades may be placed throughout the foam or may be concentrated in certain areas, or alternatively spaced consistently, or fairly consistently. The blades  19  are preferably about ½ inch to about 1½ inches apart, but may be of other distances. The blades may also be straight, waved, and/or curved. The blades could also be arranged in a variety of other ways by example, but without limitation such as triangles, rectangles, hexagons, octagons (not shown). The blades may also zigzag through the foam, and may alternatively be arranged in a wave like patterns (not shown). There are many ways the stabilizing blades may be incorporated into the foam. They may be incorporated into the foam at the time of the original manufacture of the foam, or heat bonded or glued to already made foam. There are other means which also may be used to stabilize the foam such as a plurality of small springs. 
         [0055]    As an alternative or in addition to the stabilizing blades, a rigid or semi-rigid bottom  80  plate may be placed beneath the foam layer. See  FIGS. 6-8 ,  12 - 14 ,  16 - 18 . If a bottom plate is used along with the orthotic plate or upper plate, the footwear of this invention has a two-plate system. The padding between the upper plate and lower plate insulates the user&#39;s foot from all manner of irregular upon which the user may step. For instance, with a rigid upper plate and rigid lower plate, a user might stand comfortably on a pipe or other object. 
         [0056]    The bottom plate may comprise metal, plastic, compressed EVA or other compressed foams, silicon, or neoprene foam. The bottom plate may serve as the wear surface, or may alternatively have an outsole further attached to the outer surface of the plate (not shown). The plate may be permanently secured or not For instance, the bottom plate may be glued or heat bonded to the foam, or may be removeably attached through means such as a plurality of hooks and eyes such as Velcro® or may alternatively have telescoping pins with an enlarged end like that of a nail or screw head that attaches at one end to the orthotic plate and attaches at the other end to the plate. The bottom plate  80  may also have gripping members  75  such as spikes, cleats, studs, and the like permanently or removeably attachable to the bottom plate  80 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 8  shows footwear that is disassembled or exploded in view and shows the first surface  53  of the orthotic or upper plate  50  separated from the bottom surface  35  of the upper  30 , the padding  13  separated from the second surface  55  of the orthotic plate  50 , and the bottom plate  80  separated from the cushioning  13 . Bottom plate  80  may comprise multiple rigid sections which are relatively bendable with respect to each other. For instance, since upper plate or orthotic  50  bends at  131 , bottom plate  80  may also bend or flex in the metatarsal region.  FIGS. 13-14  also show footwear that is disassembled or exploded, and  FIG. 15  shows padding with layers of open-cell foam  14   a  and closed-cell foam  14   b.  In use, these counterparts are mated and fastened by applying pressure to the hooks and loops, or other fastening means which engage each other. 
         [0058]    The orthotic plate  50 , which as shown in  FIG. 8  comprises a first piece  122 , which is typically rigid, and a second piece  130  which may be flexible or rigid, and a hinged area in between  131 . The hinge may be formed by a flexible plastic portion, a groove, or may be separate from the first piece  122 . In another embodiment, the foam may be used for supporting the toe region with only the first piece  122  being utilized. 
         [0059]    The foam padding  13  may be securely attached to the orthotic plate. Alternatively, the orthotic can be removeably attached to the orthotic plate such as by a stud and aperture connection, Velcro® i.e., mated hooks and loops, fasteners, adhesives, magnets, a wedge and aperture connection, a screw, a bolt, a hinge, a staple, a nut, studs, snaps, wedges and a combination thereof or by other means known to one skilled in the art. If a bottom plate  80  is also used, it may be securely attached. Thus, the entire shoe may be secured together. 
         [0060]    Alternatively, the bottom plate may be removeably attachable to the padding by the same foregoing means or means such as Velcro®  22  or other hook-and-loop type fasteners. See e.g.,  FIGS. 8 ,  12 , and  14 . Additionally, the orthotic plate  50  may also be removeably attachable to the bottom  35  of the upper  30 . Furthermore, the upper may be replaced with another type or style of upper, such as an upper that is a sandal or open toed shoe, a dress upper, a boot, and other types of uppers known to one skilled in the art that have been modified to be removeably attachable such as by the means described herein for the orthotic plate and cushioning. 
         [0061]    The components of  FIGS. 8 and 15  may be permanently secured together or one or more may be removable. For example, the top  18  and the bottom  20  of the padding  13  may have a layer, strip, or portion  22  of one of the counterpart elements  22   a,    22   b  of the hook-and-loop type fasteners, such as Velcro®. Above the top of the cushioning, the orthotic plate may also have at least one of the counterpart elements  22   b  of the hook-and-loop type fasteners, such as Velcro®, which is compatible with that the counterpart elements  22   a  on the bottom surface  35  of the upper  30 . Alternatively, any of the components that are covered with Velcro®, could also have portions of both the hook and loop type elements as long as there are corresponding counterparts on the surface of the adjacent component which is removeably attachable. See e.g.,  FIGS. 12-15 . If Velcro® or Velcro®-like material is used, it is preferably attached to the top or bottom of the components such as the orthotic plate, front portion  122 , padding  13 , or bottom plate  80  by adhesive, glue, or other suitable means, such as stitching and heat bonding. The entire surface of the orthotic plate and cushioning or other such components may be covered by Velcro® or other attaching means or alternatively only portions such as the perimeter of the components may have Velcro® or attachment portions. It is preferred that the hook-and-loop fasteners used in the present invention be selected from the strongest of those available on the market to resist separation while worn. Still, even when using such strong fasteners the wearer can remove worn padding and quickly install replacement padding or components by separating and then pulling the padding from the bottom of the footwear and aligning and pressing the replacement padding in place. The pressure applied by the wearer&#39;s weight further anchors and/or secures the padding and other removable attachable components to the footwear. Once all the layers and/or counterparts which are removeably attachable, interchangeable, and replaceable are connected together with the upper, they look like and function like conventional footwear. 
         [0062]    The bottom plate  80  may also be permanently or removeably attached to the padding  13  such as by a stud and aperture connection, Velcro®, i.e., mated hooks and loops, fasteners, adhesives, magnets, a wedge and aperture connection, a screw, a bolt, a hinge, a staple, a nut, studs, snaps, wedges and a combination thereof or by other means known to one skilled in the art. In the embodiment having a plate below the cushioning, the plate preferably extends substantially at least along the length of the cushioning, but may also be tapered upwardly if the foam padding is also tapered or the toe area. See e.g.,  FIGS. 6-10 , and  12 - 14 . Additionally, in some cases, the plate is the wear surface of the footwear. See  FIG. 9 . 
         [0063]    Again, the bottom plate  80  may also have gripping members  75  such as spikes, cleats, studs or other such gripping members which are permanent or removeably attachable to the bottom plate  80  that may be changed for different uses such as golf, soccer, rugby, football and other sports or activities where such footwear is helpful or useful, or removed altogether for other activities where gripping members are unnecessary or unwanted. See  FIGS. 6-8 ,  10 , and  12 - 14 . The gripping members  75  are preferably removeably attached to the bottom plate  80  shoe by inserting a threaded end  76  of the gripping member  75  into an aperture  70  in the bottom plate that has corresponding threading  71  and then turning or screwing in the gripping member  75  until it is inserted. See  FIGS. 8 ,  10 . The gripping members  75  may be snapped into the apertures and then removed such as by a tool (not shown). The gripping members may comprise a variety of shapes such as a spike end  90 , see  FIG. 11   a , multi-lobed end  91 , see  FIG. 11   b , a rounded end  92 , see  FIG. 11   c , or other shapes known or used by one skilled in the art. Also see e.g.  FIGS. 12-14 .  FIGS. 7 and 9  show embodiments of footwear that have a high top  100 , and  FIG. 9  has a two-plate system, but no gripping members, although the bottom plate may have a textured surface (not shown). Of course footwear with gripping members may have a high top. 
         [0064]    In the two-plate system, the gripping members fit to the bottom plate but preferably do not extend through the padding. Thus, the upper plate or orthotic can be completely insulated from the gripping members, In this invented footwear, the wearer will experience increased comfort and reduced stress when wearing footwear with gripping members, especially when the footwear is worn for several hours and/or when the wearer is involved in rigorous activities and/or when the ground surface is hard. In fact, the gripping members may be hardly noticeable to the wearer, unlike those in conventional footwear. 
         [0065]      FIGS. 16-18  shows an embodiment of the invention that can utilize upper plate  50  and bottom plate  80 , which may comprise relatively moveable front and rear portions. In one embodiment, lower plate  80  comprises a rear portion  82  and a front portion  84 , both of which may be rigid. In this embodiment or in other embodiments, orthotic plate  50  may be rigid between the heel and metatarsal region and flexible in the toe region. This was mentioned hereinbefore with respect to the other drawings, such as  FIG. 8 . 
         [0066]    Thus, in this embodiment, upper. plate or orthotic  50  may comprise or consist of a rear or first portion  130  which is rigid between the heel and metatarsal region. The orthotic may be used to engage the shape of the arched region of the user&#39;s foot as well as the heel and metatarsal regions. Rear or first portion  130  may extend as far as from the end of the heel to the metatarsal region The front portion of orthotic  50  is preferably flexible at least at the metatarsal region and may be flexible from the metatarsal region to the ends of the toes. The front portion of orthotic  50  may be part of orthotic  50  or comprise another member, as discussed hereinafter. 
         [0067]    Likewise, lower plate  80  may comprise a rear or first rigid portion  82  which extends along the bottom of the shoe from the heel to the metatarsal region. A flex region may then be provided at the metatarsal region indicated generally at  51  for lower plate  30  and at  131  for orthotic or upper plate  50 . Thus, both the upper plate or orthotic  50  and the lower plate  80  are made to permit flexing of the toe region. The flex region at  51  and  131  may be implemented in many different ways for each of the upper plate or orthotic  50  and the lower plate  80 . For instance, for lower plate  80  and/or upper plate  50 , a flexible plastic or rubber portion may be utilized which allows bending or flexing of the footwear. Other means may include a narrow portion, a notched portion, a flexible material joined to both sections, or supported by the padding, or the like. 
         [0068]    Thus, the footwear flexes or bends at the metatarsal region at a desired angle, which may be less than about thirty degrees plus or minus ten or twenty degrees from this amount. In one embodiment, the flexing is generally only in an upward direction, as the toes bend upwardly. 
         [0069]    Lower plate rear portion  82  and/or front portion  84  of lower plate  80  may also be rigid. Thus, forces on the feet caused by cleats or the like mounted on the moveable front portion  84  or the rear portion  82  are distributed over the user&#39;s foot by padding  13  and also by orthotic  50 . Thus, the user will not feel the individual cleats. 
         [0070]    If desired, front region  122  of upper plate or orthotic  50  may be flexible, cushioned, or the like. Front region  122  of orthotic  50  may comprise an extension of upper plate or orthotic  50  and/or may be completely separate therefrom. Alternative, front region  122  may comprise padding and perhaps the absence of a front portion of orthotic or upper plate  50 , as perhaps shown more clearly in  FIG. 17 . While orthotic or upper plate  50  is preferably rigid from the heel to the metatarsal region, padding  13  is relatively flexible in the toe region. Front region  122  may comprise padding or other material and may be flexible to allow bending of the user&#39;s toes as the user walks. Lower plate  80 , in this embodiment, comprises two rigid portions that are flexibly joined together in the metatarsal region, as indicated at  51 . In this embodiment, the rigid portion of orthotic or upper plate  50  may extend only between the heel and the metatarsal region of the footwear. 
         [0071]    In  FIG. 18 , a concept of the invention is shown in a shoe wherein padding of some type, perhaps an extension of padding  13 , is utilized in the fore portion  122  adjacent orthotic or upper plate  50 . Fore portion  122  may comprise an insole or covered portion supported by padding or may be constructed in many different ways. The flexible material supports the user&#39;s toes. 
         [0072]    Preferably rigid sections  82  and  84  of bottom plate  80  are flexibly joined to allow flexing or bending of the footwear, generally by less than about thirty degrees, perhaps plus or minus ten or twenty degrees. In one embodiment, the front region  84  can comprise a thinner portion or tread pattern of lower plate  80 , which inherently allows some flexing at least in the metatarsal region as indicated by arrow  51   
         [0073]    The resting angled shape of front region  84  can also be varied. For example, the front region resting position may be relatively flat as shown in  FIG. 18 , or may be angled or rolled more as shown in  FIG. 17 . 
         [0074]    As noted above, the shoes can be secured together during assembly so that the individual components, such as upper, upper plate, padding, and lower plate are not replaceable. Shoes can have a regular sole or a cleated sole, which may comprise or consist of the lower plate. The padding completely insulates the upper plate or orthotic from the lower plate. Thus, a force applied at any point on the lower plate spreads out and is applied uniformly to the user&#39;s foot, thereby protecting the foot. While the presently preferred embodiments show only a two part bottom plate, if desired, multiple sections may be utilized on the bottom plate. For example, the front portion may comprise two or more sections. The rear section may provide support between the heel and metatarsal region and have a bendable rear most section. Other configurations could also be utilized. 
         [0075]    The above description is that of preferred embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. 
         [0076]    Therefore, because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept(s) herein taught. Because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative of a presently preferred embodiment and not in a limiting sense.