Heelless athletic shoe

Abstract

A grid for selecting an appropriate embodiment of an athletic shoe having an upper and a multiple part sole forming an interior volume for receiving an individual's foot. The multiple part sole comprises an inner sole for engaging the plantar surface of the foot, a midsole attached to the exterior of the inner sole and substantially coextensive with the inner sole, and an outer sole attached to the midsole. The outer sole has a first portion extending from the toe of the shoe to a position beneath the foot selected according to the intended use of the shoe, and has a second contiguous portion extending from the selected position to the heel of the shoe, the first portion providing a landing surface for the shoe and the second portion being relatively thin as compared to the first portion thereby promoting proper posture and gait of the wearer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An athletic shoe having an upper including a toe portion, a midsection and a rear portion and a multiple part sole forming an interior volume for receiving an individual's foot, the foot including a plantar surface and an internal skeletal structure including a big toe defining a proximal end of the shoe and a medial arch, said multiple part sole comprising:
 A. an inner sole for engaging the plantar surface;   B. a midsole having an inner surface attached to the exterior of said inner sole to be substantially coextensive with said inner sole, said midsole having an outer surface;   C. an outer sole attached to the outer surface of said midsole intermediate the inner and outer soles, said outer sole having a first portion extending from the proximal end of the shoe to a position being selected according to the intended use of the shoe and the characteristics of the wearer, said outer sole having a second contiguous portion extending from the selected position to the rear portion of the shoe, said first portion providing a landing surface for the shoe and said second portion being relatively thin as compared to said first portion thereby to help prevent injuries to the wearer during a given activity and promote proper gait during movement.   
     
     
         2 . A shoe according to  claim 1  in which said first portion of said outer sole extends from the proximal end of the shoe to a position beneath the apex of the Calcaneum bone about 90% of the length of the shoe rearward from the toe of the shoe. 
     
     
         3 . A shoe according to  claim 1  in which said first portion of said outer sole extends from the proximal end of the shoe to a position beneath the Calcaneum bone about 86-87% of the length of the shoe rearward from the toe of the shoe. 
     
     
         4 . A shoe according to  claim 1  in which said first portion of said outer sole extends from the proximal end of the shoe to a position beneath the Calcaneum bone about 85% of the length of the shoe rearward from the toe of the shoe. 
     
     
         5 . A shoe according to  claim 1  in which said first portion of said outer sole extends from the proximal end of the shoe to a position beneath the Talus bone that is about 62.5% of the length of the shoe rearward from the toe of the shoe. 
     
     
         6 . A shoe according to  claim 1  in which said first portion of said outer sole extends from the proximal end of the shoe to a position beneath the joint between the Metatarsal and Cuneiform bones of the medial arch about 50% of the length of the shoe rearward from the toe of the shoe. 
     
     
         7 . A shoe according to  claim 1  in which said first portion of said outer sole extends from the proximal end of the shoe to a position beneath the joint between the Phalange and Metatarsal bones of the big toe about 25% of the length of the shoe rearward from the toe of the shoe. 
     
     
         8 . A shoe according to  claim 1  in which said first portion of said outer sole is limited to the toe of said shoe.