Footwear

Abstract

A shoe construction is disclosed which includes a sole portion having a toe end, a pivot location and a body extending from the toe end to the pivot location. The body has a thickness which increases between the toe end and the pivot location.

1 . A shoe comprising:
 a sole portion having a toe end, a pivot location and a body extending from said toe end to said pivot location, said body having a thickness which increases between said toe end and said pivot location.   
     
     
         2 . The shoe of  claim 1  wherein said sole portion is integrated into said shoe at the time of manufacture of the shoe. 
     
     
         3 . The shoe of  claim 1  wherein said sole portion is an added component which is assembled to said shoe after the time of manufacture of the shoe. 
     
     
         4 . The shoe of  claim 3  wherein said shoe includes a toe and a sole and said sole portion is constructed and arranged so as to be shaped around said toe and assembled to said sole. 
     
     
         5 . The shoe of  claim 4  wherein said sole portion further includes a plurality of notches for adding shape flexibility to said sole portion. 
     
     
         6 . The shoe of  claim 5  wherein said sole portion is fabricated from plastic. 
     
     
         7 . The shoe of  claim 1  wherein said sole portion represents a forward sole portion and said shoe includes a remainder sole portion, said remainder sole portion is constructed and arranged with a slit and said shoe further includes a tubular member which is received within said slit. 
     
     
         8 . The shoe of  claim 7  wherein said sole portion is integrated into said shoe at the time of manufacture of the shoe. 
     
     
         9 . The shoe of  claim 7  wherein said sole portion is an added component which is assembled to said shoe after the time of manufacture of the shoe. 
     
     
         10 . A sole portion for assembly to an existing shoe, said sole portion comprising:
 a forward location;   a rearward location; and   a sole portion body extending between said forward location and said rearward location, said sole portion body having a thickness which increases between said forward location and said rearward location.   
     
     
         11 . The sole portion of  claim 10  wherein said shoe includes a toe and a sole and said sole portion is constructed and arranged so as to be shaped around said toe and assembled to said sole. 
     
     
         12 . The sole portion of  claim 11  wherein said sole portion further includes a plurality of notches for adding shape flexibility to said sole portion. 
     
     
         13 . The sole portion of  claim 12  wherein said sole portion is fabricated from plastic. 
     
     
         14 . The sole portion of  claim 10  wherein said sole portion represents a forward sole portion and said shoe includes a remainder sole portion, said remainder sole portion is constructed and arranged with a slit and said shoe further includes a tubular member which is received within said slit. 
     
     
         15 . A method of modifying a shoe which includes a toe and a sole, said method comprising the following steps:
 a) providing a sole portion which includes a forward location, a rearward location and a sole body extending between the forward location and the rearward location, said sole portion body having a thickness which increases between said forward location and said rearward location;   b) shaping said sole portion to extend around the toe; and   c) bonding said sole portion to the sole of said shoe.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  which further includes the step of cutting a slit into the sole. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  which further includes the step of providing a tubular member and the step of inserting said tubular member into said slit. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  which further includes the step of molding a slit into the sole. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  which further includes the step of providing a tubular member and the step of inserting said tubular member into said slit.