Converse Inc.

Theodore S Gross

Richard P Bunch

Steven S Chapman

A shoe that reduces the likelihood of stress fractures occurring in the wearer's metatarsals. The shoe includes a midsole made of (i) a stress modulation layer that is made of material of relatively high duromoeter in the region of the first, fourth and fifth metatarsal, and a material of medium durmoeter in the region of the second and third durometer, and (ii) a stress moderation layer made mostly of a material of relatively low durometer.

Stress fracture reduction midsole

An athletic shoe having sheet springs being rigidly fixed below a portion of the springs corresponding to the wearers ankle. The springs being unaffixed to the upper above a wearers ankle allowing the upper portion of the spring to stand free of the side of the shoe.

Athletic shoe with control struts

A shoe has an artificial tendon system, including an elastic band extending through a passageway in the midsole of the shoe. One end of the elastic band is attached to the midsole within the passageway near the forefoot area and the other end is attached near the heel area of the shoe. When the shoe is used, extension of the elastic band stores energy during heelstrike and early propulsion and releases energy during toeoff.

Growing community of inventors

Stony Brook, NY, United States of America

Theodore S Gross