Athletic shoe with improved sole

• US 6,604,300 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2001
• Issued: 08/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Akeva LLC
• Original Assignee: Akeva LLC
• Inventors: Meschan, David F.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATTERSON, MARIE D
• Application Number:
  US10/007,535
• Publication Number:
  US 20020116842A1
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 36/37, 36/25.R, 36/15, 361/00, 361/05, 361/03, 36/42, 36/31, 36/35.R, 36/35.B, 36/27, 36/28
• US Class Current: 36/25.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/26 projecting beyond the sole surface
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 21/26 Resilient heels
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 21/36 characterised by their attachment; Securing devices for the attaching means combined with soles A43B13/28
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 21/433 rotatably mounted
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 21/52 Interchangeable heel parts without special attachments
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/0042 with circular or circle shaped parts
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/00 Footwear for sporting purposes non-skid devices, e.g. ice-spurs or studs for football shoes, A43C15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/142 situated under the medial arch, i.e. under the navicular or cuneiform bones
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/144 situated under the heel, i.e. the calcaneus bone
• CPC Class Codes: A43D 999/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

A shoe has an upper, a foot support region positioned below at least a portion of the upper to support the bottom of a user'"'"'s foot, a sole secured below the foot support region, and a flexible member positioned below at least a portion of the foot support region and above at least a portion of the sole. The flexible member has a top surface, a bottom surface, a peripheral portion, and an interior portion. The interior portion of the flexible member deflects in use in a direction substantially perpendicular to a major longitudinal axis of the shoe. At least a portion of the peripheral portion is restrained from movement relative to the interior portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the major longitudinal axis of the shoe.

Claims

1. A shoe comprising:

an upper having a heel region;

a rear sole having a rearward portion and an opposite forward portion connected below the heel region, the rear sole having a bottom surface at least a portion of which is ground engaging, the bottom surface including at least one substantially planar portion and at least three portions non-planar with the at least one substantially planar portion, the non-planar portions being positioned proximate the perimeter of the rear sole and separated from each other by other portions of the bottom surface, each of the non-planar portions being inclined upwardly from another portion of the bottom surface in a direction toward the perimeter of the rear sole, one of the at least three non-planar portions being proximate the rearward portion of the rear sole, and at least two of the at least three non-planar portions being proximate the forward portion of the rear sole and being oriented so that at least one edge of one of the at least two non-planar portions proximate the forward portion of the rear sole is proximate a medial side of the rear sole and at least one edge of the other of the at least two non-planar portions proximate the forward portion of the rear sole is proximate a lateral side of the rear sole;

a flexible plate having upper and lower surfaces and supported between at least a portion of the rear sole and at least a portion of the heel region of the upper, peripheral portions of the plate being restrained from movement relative to an interior portion of the plate in a direction substantially perpendicular to a major axis of the shoe so that the interior portion of the plate is capable of being deflected relative to the peripheral portions in a direction substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the shoe, at least a portion of the upper surface of the plate being convex, at least a portion of the lower surface of the plate being concave, the interior portion of the plate being positioned over a void; and

an opening in the bottom surface of the rear sole located beneath the interior portion of the plate, the opening being in communication with the void to expose the interior portion of the plate from outside of the shoe.

2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein each of the non-planar portions has a maximum linear dimension less than the greatest width of the bottom surface along a line perpendicular to a major axis of the shoe.

3. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface includes an outsole material that is ground engaging, the rear sole including midsole material above the outsole material, at least a portion of the midsole material above the non-planar portions being thinner than the midsole material above the at least one substantially planar portion of the bottom surface of the rear sole.

4. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising at least one wall proximate at least a portion of the peripheral portions of the plate and extending in at least one of an upwardly direction and a downwardly direction from the plate, the at least one wall being integral with the plate.

5. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the upper has an arch region, and further comprising an arch bridge integral with the plate, the arch bridge extending from a position proximate a forward portion of the plate, forward beneath at least a portion of the arch region of the upper.

6. The shoe of claim 5, wherein the arch bridge has a bottom surface that is at least in part visible from outside of the shoe.

7. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the upper surface has at least two convex portions, at least a portion of the upper surface being concave, the concave portion of the upper surface being located between the two convex portions of the upper surface.

8. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising at least one sidewall above at least a portion of the bottom surface of the rear sole, the at least one sidewall having at least one hole therethrough located on at least one of a lateral side, a medial side, and a rear of the shoe.

9. The shoe of claim 1, wherein at least a substantial portion of the peripheral portions of the flexible plate is restrained from movement relative to the interior portion of the flexible plate.

10. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the peripheral portions of the flexible plate being restrained from movement relative to the interior portion are at a point along a medial side and at a point along a lateral side of the shoe.

11. The shoe of claim 1, wherein a forward facing portion and a rearward facing portion of the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion.

12. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion at at least two spaced apart points along a medial side of the shoe and at at least two spaced apart points along a lateral side of the shoe, the interior portion of the plate being located above a point between the at least two points along the medial side of the shoe and the at least two points along the lateral side of the shoe and beneath the approximate center of the user'"'"'s heel.

13. The shoe of claim 12, wherein upon the deflection of the interior portion of the plate, the at least two points along the medial side of the shoe and the at least two points along the lateral side of the shoe are displaceable in a direction substantially parallel to the ground.

14. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion both along at least a portion of a medial side and at least a portion of a lateral side of the shoe and on at least a portion of a forward facing portion and at least a portion of a rearward facing portion of the peripheral portions of the flexible plate.

15. The shoe of claim 1, wherein at least one of the peripheral portions of the plate being restrained from movement is along the upper surface of the plate and at least one of the peripheral portions of the plate being restrained from movement is along the lower surface of the plate.

16. The shoe of claim 15, wherein the peripheral portions are both toward the front of the shoe.

17. The shoe of claim 15, wherein the peripheral portions are both toward the back of the shoe.

18. The shoe of claim 15, wherein the peripheral portions are both on the lateral side of the shoe.

19. The shoe of claim 15, wherein the peripheral portions are both on the medial side of the shoe.

20. The shoe of claim 15, wherein the peripheral portions of the upper and lower surfaces are proximate one another.

21. The shoe of claim 20, where the capable of being deflected interior portion is located between the portions of the upper and lower surfaces and a point beneath a central portion of the heel region of the upper.

22. A shoe comprising:

an upper having a heel region and an arch region;

a rear sole having a bottom surface, the rear sole being secured below the heel region of the upper;

a flexible plate having upper and lower surfaces and supported between at least a portion of the rear sole and at least a portion of the heel region of the upper, peripheral portions of the plate being restrained from movement relative to an interior portion of the plate in a direction substantially perpendicular to a major axis of the shoe so that the interior portion of the plate is capable of being deflected relative to the peripheral portions in a direction substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the shoe, at least a portion of the upper surface of the plate being convex, at least a portion of the lower surface of the plate being concave, the interior portion of the plate being positioned over a void;

an opening in the bottom surface of the rear sole located beneath the interior portion of the plate, the opening being in communication with the void to expose the interior portion of the plate from outside of the shoe;

an arch bridge integral with the plate, the arch bridge extending from a position proximate a forward portion of the plate, forward beneath at least a portion of the arch region of the upper; and

at least one wall proximate at least a portion of the peripheral portions of the plate and extending in at least one of an upwardly direction and a downwardly direction from the plate, the at least one wall being integral with the plate.

23. The shoe of claim 22, wherein the at least one wall extends in an upwardly direction.

24. The shoe of claim 23, wherein the upwardly extending wall is connected to at least a portion of the heel region of the upper.

25. The shoe of claim 23, wherein at least a portion of the upwardly extending wall is visible from outside of the shoe.

26. The shoe of claim 25, wherein at least a portion of the upwardly extending wall is visible from a medial side of the shoe, from a lateral side of the shoe, and from a rear of the shoe.

27. The shoe of claim 23, wherein the at least one wall includes a wall extending in a downwardly direction.

28. The shoe of claim 27, wherein the downwardly extending wall contacts at least a portion of the rear sole.

29. The shoe of claim 27, wherein at least a portion of the downwardly extending wall is visible from outside of the shoe.

30. The shoe of claim 29, wherein at least a portion of the downwardly extending wall is visible from a medial side of the shoe, from a lateral side of the shoe, and from a rear of the shoe.

31. The shoe of claim 22, wherein the at least one wall extends in a downwardly direction.

32. The shoe of claim 31, wherein the downwardly extending wall contacts at least a portion of the rear sole.

33. The shoe of claim 31, wherein at least a portion of the downwardly extending wall is visible from outside of the shoe.

34. The shoe of claim 22, wherein the arch bridge is integral with an upwardly extending wall on at least one of a lateral side and a medial side of the shoe.

35. The shoe of claim 34, wherein the upwardly extending wall is at least in part visible from outside of the shoe.

36. The shoe of claim 22, wherein the arch bridge has a bottom surface that is at least in substantial part visible from outside of the shoe.

37. The shoe of claim 36, wherein the bottom surface of the arch bridge is visible on a line perpendicular to a major axis of the shoe across a width of the arch bridge.

38. The shoe of claim 22, wherein the arch bridge is integral with a downwardly extending wall.

39. The shoe of claim 38, wherein at least a portion of the downwardly extending wall is visible from outside of the shoe.

40. The shoe of claim 38, wherein the downwardly extending wall contacts at least a portion of the rear sole.

41. The shoe of claim 38, wherein the downwardly extending wall is integral with a rearward portion of the arch bridge.

42. The shoe of claim 38, wherein the downwardly extending wall is arcuate.

43. The shoe of claim 38, wherein the downwardly extending wall is at least in pad acurate.

44. The shoe of claim 38, wherein the downwardly extending wall is curved.

45. The shoe of claim 38, wherein the downwardly extending wall is at least in part curved.

46. The shoe of claim 22, wherein the rear sole has a rearward portion and an opposite forward portion connected below the heel region, the rear sole having a bottom surface at least a portion of which is ground engaging, the bottom surface including at least one substantially planar portion and at least two portions non-planar with the at least one substantially planar portion, the non- planar portions being positioned proximate the perimeter of the rear sole and separated from each other by other portions of the bottom surface, each of the non-planar portions being inclined upwardly from another portion of the bottom surface in a direction toward the perimeter of the rear sole, one of the at least two non-planar portions being proximate the rearward portion of the rear sole, and the other of the at least two non-planar portions being proximate the forward portion of the rear sole.

47. The shoe of claim 22, wherein the upper surface has at least two convex portions, at least a portion of the upper surface being concave, the concave portion of the upper surface being located between the two convex portions of the upper surface.

48. The shoe of claim 22, further comprising at least one sidewall above at least a portion of the bottom surface of the rear sole, the at least one sidewall having at least one hole therethrough located on at least one of a lateral side, a medial side, and a rear of the shoe.

49. The shoe of claim 22, wherein at least a substantial portion of the peripheral portions of the flexible plate is restrained from movement relative to the interior portion of the flexible plate.

50. The shoe of claim 22, wherein the peripheral portions of the flexible plate being restrained from movement relative to the interior portion are at a point along a medial side and at a point along a lateral side of the shoe.

51. The shoe of claim 22, wherein a forward facing portion and a rearward facing portion of the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion.

52. The shoe of claim 22, wherein the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion at at least two spaced apart points along a medial side of the shoe and at at least two spaced apart points along a lateral side of the shoe, the interior portion of the plate being located above a point between the at least two points along the medial side of the shoe and the at least two points along the lateral side of the shoe and beneath the approximate center of the users heel.

53. The shoe of claim 52, wherein upon the deflection of the interior portion of the plate, the at least two points along the medial side of the shoe and the at least two points along the lateral side of the shoe are displaceable in a direction substantially parallel to the ground.

54. The shoe of claim 22, wherein the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion both along at least a portion of a medial side and at least a portion of a lateral side of the shoe and on at least a portion of a forward facing portion and at least a portion of a rearward facing portion of the peripheral portions of the flexible plate.

55. The shoe of claim 22, wherein at least one of the peripheral portions of the plate being restrained from movement is along the upper surface of the plate and at least one of the peripheral portions of the plate being restrained from movement is along the lower surface of the plate.

56. The shoe of claim 55, wherein the peripheral portions are both toward the front of the shoe.

57. The shoe of claim 55, wherein the peripheral portions are both toward the back of the shoe.

58. The shoe of claim 55, wherein the peripheral portions are both on the lateral side of the shoe.

59. The shoe of claim 55, wherein the peripheral portions are both on the medial side of the shoe.

60. The shoe of claim 55, wherein the peripheral portions of the upper and lower surfaces are proximate one another.

61. The shoe of claim 60, wherein the capable of being deflected interior portion is located between the peripheral portions of the upper and lower surfaces and a point beneath a central portion of the heel region of the upper.

62. A shoe comprising:

an upper having a heel region;

a rear sole having a bottom surface, the rear sole being secured below the heel region of the upper;

a flexible plate having upper and lower surfaces and supported between at least a portion of the rear sole and at least a portion of the heel region of the upper, peripheral portions of the plate being restrained from movement relative to an interior portion of the plate in a direction substantially perpendicular to a major axis of the shoe so that the interior portion of the plate is capable of being deflected relative to the peripheral portions in a direction substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the shoe, at least a portion of the upper surface of the plate being convex, at least a portion of the lower surface of the plate being concave, the interior portion of the plate being positioned over a void;

an opening in the bottom surface of the rear sole located beneath the interior portion of the plate, the opening being in communication with the void to expose the interior portion of the plate from outside of the shoe; and

at least one sidewall above at least a portion of the bottom surface of the rear sole, the at least one sidewall having at least one hole therethrough located on at least one of a lateral side, a medial side, and a rear of the shoe.

63. The shoe of claim 62, wherein the at least one hole includes at least two holes, at least one of the at least two holes being on the medial side of the shoe and at least one of the at least two holes being on the lateral side of the shoe.

64. The shoe of claim 63, wherein the plate is at least in pad visible through both of the at least two holes.

65. The shoe of claim 62, wherein the plate is at least in part visible through the at least one hole.

66. The shoe of claim 62, wherein the at least one sidewall has an interior surface, the void being defined at least in part by the interior surface of the at least one sidewall.

67. The shoe of claim 66, wherein the void is at least in part visible through the at least one hole.

68. The shoe of claim 67, wherein at least one hole includes at least two holes, at least one of the at least two holes being on the medial side of the shoe and at least one of the at least two holes being on the lateral side of the shoe, the void being at least in part visible through both of the at least two holes.

69. The shoe of claim 66, wherein the interior surface of the at least one sidewall is visible through the opening in the bottom surface of the rear sole.

70. The shoe of claim 66, wherein at least a portion of the interior surface of the at least one sidewall is visible through the at least one hole in the at least one sidewall.

71. The shoe of claim 66, wherein the at least one hole in the at least one sidewall is on the lateral side of the shoe, the interior surface of the at least one sidewall on the medial side of the shoe being visible through the at least one hole.

72. The shoe of claim 62, wherein the at least one sidewall includes midsole material.

73. The shoe of claim 62, wherein the at least one sidewall includes outsole material.

74. The shoe of claim 62, wherein the at least one sidewall includes both midsole material and outsole material.

75. The shoe of claim 62, further comprising at least one wall proximate at least a portion of the peripheral portions of the plate and extending in at least one of an upwardly direction and a downwardly direction from the plate, the at least one wall being integral with the plate.

76. The shoe of claim 62, wherein the upper has an arch region, and further comprising an arch bridge integral with the plate, the arch bridge extending from a position proximate a forward portion of the plate, forward beneath at least a portion of the arch region of the upper.

77. The shoe of claim 76, wherein the arch bridge has a bottom surface that is at least in part visible from outside of the shoe.

78. The shoe of claim 62, wherein the rear sole has a rearward portion and an opposite forward portion connected below the heel region, the rear sole having a bottom surface at least a portion of which is ground engaging, the bottom surface including at least one substantially planar portion and at least two portions non-planar with the at least one substantially planar portion, the non- planar portions being positioned proximate the perimeter of the rear sole and separated from each other by other portions of the bottom surface, each of the non-planar portions being inclined upwardly from another portion of the bottom surface in a direction toward the perimeter of the rear sole, one of the at least two non-planar portions being proximate the rearward portion of the rear sole, and the other of the at least two non-planar portions being proximate the forward portion of the rear sole.

79. The shoe of claim 62, wherein the upper surface has at least two convex portions, at least a portion of the upper surface being concave, the concave portion of the upper surface being located between the two convex portions of the upper surface.

80. The shoe of claim 62, wherein at least a substantial portion of the peripheral portions of the flexible plate is restrained from movement relative to the interior portion of the flexible plate.

81. The shoe of claim 62, wherein the peripheral portions of the flexible plate being restrained from movement relative to the interior portion are at a point along a medial side and at a point along a lateral side of the shoe.

82. The shoe of claim 62, wherein a forward facing portion and a rearward facing portion of the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion.

83. The shoe of claim 62, wherein the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion at at least two spaced apart points along a medial side of the shoe and at at least two spaced apart points along a lateral side of the shoe, the interior portion of the plate being located above a point between the at least two points along the medial side of the shoe and the at least two points along the lateral side of the shoe and beneath the approximate center of the user'"'"'s heel.

84. The shoe of claim 83, wherein upon the deflection of the interior portion of the plate, the at least two points along the medial side of the shoe and the at least two points along the lateral side of the shoe are displaceable in a direction substantially parallel to the ground.

85. The shoe of claim 62, wherein the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion both along at least a portion of a medial side and at least a portion of a lateral side of the shoe and on at least a portion of a forward facing portion and at least a portion of a rearward facing portion of the peripheral portions of the flexible plate.

86. The shoe of claim 62, wherein at least one of the peripheral portions of the plate being restrained from movement is along the upper surface of the plate and at least one of the peripheral portions of the plate being restrained from movement is along the lower surface of the plate.

87. The shoe of claim 86, wherein the peripheral portions are both toward the front of the shoe.

88. The shoe of claim 86, wherein the peripheral portions are both toward the back of the shoe.

89. The shoe of claim 86, wherein the peripheral portions are both on the lateral side of the shoe.

90. The shoe of claim 86, wherein the peripheral portions are both on the medial side of the shoe.

91. The shoe of claim 86, wherein the peripheral portions of the upper and lower surfaces are proximate one another.

92. The shoe of claim 91, wherein the capable of being deflected interior portion is located between the peripheral portions of the upper and lower surfaces and a point beneath a central portion of the heel region of the upper.

93. A shoe comprising:

an upper having a heel region;

a rear sole secured below the heel region of the upper; and

a flexible plate having upper and lower surfaces and positioned between at least a portion of the rear sole and at least a portion of the heel region of the upper, peripheral portions of the plate being restrained from movement relative to an interior portion of the plate in a direction substantially perpendicular to a major axis of the shoe so that the interior portion of the plate is capable of being deflected relative to the peripheral portions in a direction substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the shoe, the upper surface having at least one concave portion, and the lower surface being at least in part visible from outside of the shoe.

94. The shoe of claim 93, wherein the lower surface is at least in part visible through an opening in the rear sole.

95. The shoe of claim 93, wherein the upper surface has at least one convex portion, the at least one convex portion being adjacent the at least one concave portion of the upper surface.

96. The shoe of claim 95, wherein the upper surface has at least two convex portions, the concave portion of the upper surface being located between the convex portions of the upper surface.

97. The shoe of claim 96, further comprising at least one wall proximate at least a portion of the peripheral portions of the plate and extending in at least one of an upwardly direction and a downwardly direction from the plate ,the at least one wall being integral with the plate.

98. The shoe of claim 96, wherein the upper has an arch region, and further comprising an arch bridge integral with the plate, the arch bridge extending from a position proximate a forward portion of the plate, forward beneath at least a portion of the arch region of the upper, the arch bridge having a bottom surface that is at least in part visible from outside of the shoe.

99. The shoe of claim 96, wherein the rear sole has a rearward portion and an opposite forward portion connected below the heel region, the rear sole having a bottom surface at least a portion of which is ground engaging, the bottom surface including at least one substantially planar portion and at least two portions non-planar with the at least one substantially planar portion, the non- planar portions being positioned proximate the perimeter of the rear sole and separated from each other by other portions of the bottom surface, each of the non-planar portions being inclined upwardly from another portion of the bottom surface in a direction toward the perimeter of the rear sole, one of the at least two non-planar portions being proximate the rearward portion of the rear sole. and the other of the at least two non-planar portions being proximate the forward portion of the rear sole.

100. The shoe of claim 93, further comprising at least one wall extending in at least one of an upwardly direction and a downwardly direction, the at least one wall being integral with at least a portion of the peripheral portions of the plate.

101. The shoe of claim 93, wherein the upper has an arch region, and further comprising an arch bridge integral with the plate, the arch bridge extending from a position proximate a forward portion of the plate, forward beneath at least a portion of the arch region of the upper, the arch bridge further having a bottom surface that is at least in part visible from outside of the shoe.

102. The shoe of claim 93, wherein the rear sole has a rearward portion and an opposite forward portion connected below the heel region, the rear sole having a bottom surface at least a portion of which is ground engaging, the bottom surface including at least one substantially planar portion and at least two portions non-planar with the at least one substantially planar portion, the non- planar portions being positioned proximate the perimeter of the rear sole and separated from each other by other portions of the bottom surface, each of the non-planar portions being inclined upwardly from another portion of the bottom surface in a direction toward the perimeter of the rear sole, one of the at least two non-planar portions being proximate the rearward portion of the rear sole, and the other of the at least two non-planar portions being proximate the forward portion of the rear sole.

103. The shoe of claim 93, further comprising at least one sidewall above at least a portion of the bottom surface of the rear sole, the at least one sidewall having at least one hole therethrough located on at least one of a lateral side, a medial side, and a rear of the shoe.

104. The shoe of claim 93, wherein at least a substantial portion of the peripheral portions of the flexible plate is restrained from movement relative to the interior portion of the flexible plate.

105. The shoe of claim 93, wherein the peripheral portions of the flexible plate being restrained from movement relative to the interior portion are at a point along a medial side and at a point along a lateral side of the shoe.

106. The shoe of claim 93, wherein a forward facing portion and a rearward facing portion of the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion.

107. The shoe of claim 93, wherein the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion at at least two spaced apart points along a medial side of the shoe and at at least two spaced apart points along a lateral side of the shoe, the interior portion of the plate being located above a point between the at least two points along the medial side of the shoe and the at least two points along the lateral side of the shoe and beneath the approximate center of the user'"'"'s heel.

108. The shoe of claim 107, wherein upon the deflection of the interior portion of the plate, the at least two points along the medial side of the shoe and the at least two points along the lateral side of the shoe are displaceable in a direction substantially parallel to the ground.

109. The shoe of claim 93, wherein the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion both along at least a portion of a medial side and at least a portion of a lateral side of the shoe and on at least a portion of a forward facing portion and a rearward facing portion of the peripheral portions of the flexible plate.

110. The shoe of claim 93, wherein at least one of the peripheral portions of the plate being restrained from movement is along the upper surface of the plate and at least one of the peripheral portions of the plate being restrained from movement is along the lower surface of the plate.

111. The shoe of claim 110, wherein the peripheral portions are both toward the front of the shoe.

112. The shoe of claim 110, wherein the peripheral portions are both toward the back of the shoe.

113. The shoe of claim 110, wherein the peripheral portions are both on the lateral side of the shoe.

114. The shoe of claim 110, wherein the peripheral portions are both on the medial side of the shoe.

115. The shoe of claim 110, wherein the peripheral portions of the upper and lower surfaces are proximate one another.

116. The shoe of claim 115, wherein the capable of being deflected interior portion is located between the peripheral portions of the upper and lower surfaces and a point beneath a central portion of the heel region of the upper.

117. A shoe comprising:

an upper having a heel region;

a rear sole secured below the heel region of the upper;

a flexible plate having upper and lower surfaces and supported between at least a portion of the rear sole and at least a portion of the heel region of the upper, peripheral portions of the plate being restrained from movement relative to an interior portion of the plate in a direction substantially perpendicular to a major axis of the shoe so that the interior portion of the plate is capable of being deflected relative to the peripheral portions in a direction substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the shoe, at least one portion of a cross section of the plate perpendicular to a major axis of the shoe defining a curve in a direction generally from a medial side of the shoe to a lateral side of the shoe; and

an opening in the bottom surface of the rear sole located beneath the interior portion of the plate that exposes the interior portion of the plate.

118. A shoe comprising:

an upper having a heel region;

a rear sole secured below the heel region of the upper;

a flexible plate having upper and lower surfaces and supported between at least a portion of the rear sole and at least a portion of the heel region of the upper, peripheral portions of the plate being restrained from movement relative to an interior portion of the plate in a direction substantially perpendicular to a major axis of the shoe so that the interior portion of the plate is capable of being deflected relative to the peripheral portions in a direction substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the shoe, at least one portion of a cross section of the plate parallel to the major axis of the shoe defining a curve in a direction generally from a front of the shoe to a back of the shoe; and

an opening in the bottom surface of the rear sole located beneath the interior portion of the plate that exposes the interior portion of the plate.

119. The shoe of claim 118, wherein the upper surface has at least two convex portions, at least a portion of the upper surface being concave, the concave portion of the upper surface being located between the two convex portions of the upper surface.

120. The shoe of claim 118, wherein the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion at at least two spaced apart points along a medial side of the shoe and at at least two spaced apart points along a lateral side of the shoe, the interior portion of the plate being located above a point between the at least two points along the medial side of the shoe and the at least two points along the lateral side of the shoe and beneath the approximate center of the user'"'"'s heel, the at least two points along the medial side of the shoe and the at least two points along the lateral side of the shoe being displaceable in a direction substantially parallel to the ground upon the deflection of the interior portion of the plate.

121. A shoe comprising:

an upper having a heel region;

a rear sole secured below the heel region of the upper;

a flexible plate having upper and lower surfaces and supported between at least a portion of the rear sole and at least a portion of the heel region of the upper, peripheral portions of the plate being restrained from movement relative to an interior portion of the plate in a direction substantially perpendicular to a major axis of the shoe so that the interior portion of the plate is capable of being deflected relative to the peripheral portions in a direction substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the shoe, at least one portion of a cross section of the plate perpendicular to a major axis of the shoe defining a curve in a direction generally from a medial side of the shoe to a lateral side of the shoe, at least one portion of a cross section of the plate parallel to the major axis of the shoe defining a curve in a direction generally from a front of the shoe to a back of the shoe; and

an opening in the bottom surface of the rear sole located beneath the interior portion of the plate that exposes the interior portion of the plate.

122. A shoe comprising:

an upper having a heel region;

a rear sole secured below the heel region and having a rearward portion, the rear sole further having a bottom surface at least a portion of which is ground engaging, the ground-engaging portion of the bottom surface including at least one substantially planar portion and at least one portion non-planar with the at least one substantially planar portion, the at least one non-planar portion being positioned proximate a perimeter of the bottom surface and inclined upwardly in a direction toward the perimeter of the bottom surface from another portion of the bottom surface, the at least one non-planar portion having an outer edge coincident with the perimeter of the bottom surface and being located proximate the rearward portion of the rear sole;

a flexible plate having upper and lower surfaces and positioned between at least a portion of the rear sole and at least a portion of the heel region of the upper, peripheral portions of the plate being restrained from movement relative to an interior portion of the plate in a direction substantially perpendicular to a major axis of the shoe so that the interior portion of the plate is capable of being deflected relative to the peripheral portions in a direction substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the shoe, the upper surface of the plate being in at least substantial pad concave in shape, the interior portion of the plate being positioned over a void, and the lower surface of the plate being at least in part visible from outside of the shoe; and

a sidewall that includes midsole material located beneath the plate, the sidewall having an exterior surface that is at least in part visible from outside the shoe and an interior surface that at least partially defines the void, the sidewall further having at least one opening therethrough on at least one of a lateral side of the shoe, a medial side of the shoe, and a rear of the shoe.

123. The shoe of claim 122, wherein the at least one opening is on both a medial side of the shoe and a lateral side of the shoe.

124. The shoe of claim 122, wherein at least one opening is on both a medial side of the shoe and a lateral side of the shoe, and on a rear of the shoe.

125. The shoe of claim 122, wherein the void is visible at least in part from outside the shoe through the at least one opening in the sidewall.

126. The shoe of claim 122, wherein the lower surface of the plate is visible at least in part from outside the shoe through the at least one opening in the sidewall.

127. The shoe of claim 122, wherein the interior surface of the sidewall is visible at least in part from outside the shoe through the at least one opening in the sidewall.

128. The shoe of claim 122, wherein at least one portion of a cross section of the plate perpendicular to a major axis of the shoe defines a curve in a direction generally from a medial side of the shoe to a lateral side of the shoe, at least one portion of a cross section of the plate parallel to the major axis of the shoe defining a curve in a direction generally from a front of the shoe to a back of the shoe.

129. The shoe of claim 122, wherein the at least one non-planar portion has a maximum linear dimension less than the greatest width of the bottom surface along a line perpendicular to a major axis of the shoe.

130. The shoe of claim 122, wherein the bottom surface includes an outsole material that is ground engaging, the rear sole including midsole material above the outsole material, at least a portion of the midsole material above the at least one non-planar portion being thinner than the midsole material above the at least one substantially planar portion of the bottom surface of the rear sole.

131. The shoe of claim 122, wherein the plate has at least one opening therein.

132. The shoe of claim 131, wherein the at least one opening has a center located beneath the approximate center of the heel of the user.

133. The shoe of claim 132, wherein the plate has multiple elongated cut-out portions therethrough.

134. The shoe of claim 133, wherein the elongated cut-out portions are oriented around the center of the opening.

135. The shoe of claim 134, wherein the elongated cut-out portions are evenly spaced around the center of the opening.

136. The shoe of claim 135, wherein the elongated cut-out portions have a length and are oriented around the center of the opening such that the length is in a direction away from the center of the opening and toward the periphery of the plate.

137. The shoe of claim 136, wherein a mid-longitudinal axis along the length of the elongated cut-out portions passes through the approximate center of the opening.

138. The shoe of claim 122, wherein a portion of the interior portion of the plate is thinner than a portion of the peripheral portions of the plate.

139. The shoe of claim 137, wherein the elongated cut-out portions are spaced around the center of the opening in a star-like pattern.

140. The shoe of claim 137, wherein the plate has six elongated cut-out portions around the center of the opening, the cut-out portions being oriented around the center of the opening in 60-degree increments.

141. The shoe of claim 131, wherein the at least one opening in the plate is at least in part visible from outside the shoe.

142. The shoe of claim 122, wherein the non-planar portion of the ground-engaging portion of the bottom surface of the rear sole includes an interior edge, the interior edge being located proximate an opening in the ground-engaging portion of the bottom surface.

143. The shoe of claim 142, wherein the interior edge is at least in part curved.

144. The shoe of claim 142, wherein the interior edge is at least in part arc-shaped.

145. The shoe of claim 142, wherein the interior edge defines at least a portion of a circle.

146. The shoe of claim 142, wherein the opening is substantially circular in shape.

147. The shoe of claim 142, wherein the rear sole has an interior sidewall adjacent and extending upwardly from the interior edge of the non-planar portion of the ground-engaging portion of the bottom surface.

148. The shoe of claim 142, wherein the interior edge defines a thickness of a layer of an outsole material, the outsole layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface contacting another portion of the rear sole and the lower surface comprising at least a portion of the bottom surface of the rear sole.

149. The shoe of claim 142, wherein the opening in the ground-engaging portion of the bottom surface exposes a wall that defines, at least in part, a truncated cone.

150. The shoe of claim 122, wherein the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion along at least a substantial portion of the peripheral portions.

151. The shoe of claim 122, wherein the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion at a point along a medial side and at a point along a lateral side of the shoe.

152. The shoe of claim 122, wherein a forward facing portion and a rearward facing portion of the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion.

153. The shoe of claim 122, wherein the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion both at a point along a medial side and at a point along a lateral side of the shoe and along a forward facing portion and a rearward facing portion of the peripheral portions of the flexible plate.

154. The shoe of claim 122, wherein the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion both along at least a portion of a medial side and at least a portion of a lateral side of the shoe and on at least a portion of a forward facing portion and at least a portion of a rearward facing portion of the peripheral portions of the flexible plate.

155. The shoe of claim 122, wherein at least one of the peripheral portions of the plate being restrained from movement is along the upper surface of the plate and at least one of the peripheral portions of the plate being restrained from movement is along the lower surface of the plate.

156. The shoe of claim 155, wherein the peripheral portions are both toward the front of the shoe.

157. The shoe of claim 155, wherein the peripheral portions are both toward the back of the shoe.

158. The shoe of claim 155, wherein the peripheral portions are both on the lateral side of the shoe.

159. The shoe of claim 155, wherein the peripheral portions are both on the medial side of the shoe.

160. The shoe of claim 155, wherein the peripheral portions of the upper and lower surfaces are proximate one another.

161. The shoe of claim 160, where the capable of being deflected interior portion is located between the peripheral portions of the upper and lower surfaces and a point beneath a central portion of the heel region of the upper.

162. A shoe comprising:

an upper having a heel region and an arch region;

a rear sole having a rearward portion and an opposite forward portion connected below the heel region, the rear sole having a bottom surface, at least a portion of which is ground engaging, the bottom surface including at least one substantially planar portion and at least two portions non-planar with the at least one substantially planar portion, the non-planar portions being positioned proximate the perimeter of the rear sole and separated from each other by other portions of the bottom surface, each of the non-planar portions being inclined upwardly from another portion of the bottom surface in a direction toward the perimeter of the rear sole, one of the at least two non-planar portions being proximate the rearward portion of the rear sole, and the other of the at least two non-planar portions being proximate the forward portion of the rear sole;

a flexible plate having upper and lower surfaces and supported between at least a portion of the rear sole and at least a portion of the heel region of the upper, peripheral portions of the plate being restrained from movement relative to an interior portion of the plate in a direction substantially perpendicular to a major axis of the shoe so that the interior portion of the plate is capable of being deflected relative to the peripheral portions in a direction substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the shoe;

an opening in the bottom surface of the rear sole located beneath the interior portion of the plate to expose the interior portion of the plate from outside of the shoe; and

an arch bridge integral with the plate, the arch bridge extending from a position proximate a forward portion of the plate, forward beneath at least a portion of the arch region of the upper, the arch bridge having a bottom surface that is at least in part visible from outside of the shoe.

163. The shoe of claim 162, further including at least one wall proximate at least a portion of the peripheral portions of the plate, the at least one wall being integral with the plate and extending in a downwardly direction from the plate, the downwardly extending wall contacting at least a portion of the rear sole, at least a portion of the downwardly extending wall being visible from outside of the shoe.

164. The shoe of claim 163, further including at least one wall proximate at least a portion of the peripheral portions of the plate, the at least one wall being integral with the plate and extending in an upwardly direction from the plate, at least a portion of the upwardly extending wall being visible from outside of the shoe..

165. The shoe of claim 162, further including at least one wall proximate at least a portion of the peripheral portions of the plate, the at least one wall being integral with the plate and extending in an upwardly direction from the plate, at least a portion of the upwardly extending wall being visible from outside of the shoe.

166. The shoe of claim 162, wherein a substantial portion of the bottom surface of the arch bridge is visible from outside of the shoe.

167. The shoe of claim 162, wherein the bottom surface of the arch bridge is visible on a line perpendicular to a major axis of the shoe across a width of the arch bridge.

168. The shoe of claim 162, wherein the arch bridge has proximate at least one of a medial side of the shoe and a lateral side of the shoe at least one wall integral with the arch bridge and extending in an upwardly direction.

169. The shoe of claim 168, wherein at least a portion of the upwardly extending wall of the arch bridge is connected to the arch region of the upper.

170. The shoe of claim 168, wherein at least a portion of the upwardly extending wall of the arch bridge is visible from outside of the shoe.

171. The shoe of claim 170, wherein the arch bridge has proximate at least one of a medial side of the shoe and a lateral side of the shoe at least one wall integral with the arch bridge and extending in a downwardly direction, at least a portion of the downwardly extending wall of the arch bridge being visible from outside of the shoe.

172. The shoe of claim 162, wherein the arch bridge has proximate at least one of a medial side of the shoe and a lateral side of the shoe at least one wall integral with the arch bridge and extending in a downwardly direction, at least a portion of the downwardly extending wall of the arch bridge being visible from outside of the shoe.

173. The shoe of claim 168, further including at least one wall proximate at least a portion of the peripheral portions of the plate, the at least one wall being integral with the plate and extending in an upwardly direction from the plate.

174. The shoe of claim 173, wherein the upwardly extending wall of the arch bridge is adjacent the upwardly extending wall of the plate.

175. The shoe of claim 173, wherein the upwardly extending wall of the arch bridge is integral with the upwardly extending wall of the plate.

176. The shoe of claim 175, wherein at least a portion of the upwardly extending wall of the arch bridge and at least a portion of the upwardly extending wall of the plate are visible from outside of the shoe.

177. The shoe of claim 162, wherein further comprising at least one sidewall above at least a portion of the bottom surface of the rear sole, the at least one sidewall having at least one hole therethrough located on at least one of a lateral side, a medial side, and a rear of the shoe.

178. The shoe of claim 177, wherein the at least one hole includes at least two holes, at least one of the at least two holes being on the medial side of the shoe and at least one of the at least two holes being on the lateral side of the shoe.

179. The shoe of claim 162, wherein a substantial portion of the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion of the flexible plate.

180. The shoe of claim 162, wherein the flexible plate has substantially its entire peripheral portion restrained.

181. The shoe of claim 162, wherein the peripheral portions of the flexible plate being restrained from movement relative to the interior portion are at a point along a medial side and at a point along a lateral side of the shoe.

182. The shoe of claim 162, wherein a forward facing portion and a rearward facing portion of the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion.

183. The shoe of claim 162, wherein the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion both at a point along a medial side and a lateral side of the shoe and along a forward facing portion and a rearward facing portion of the peripheral portion of the flexible plate.

184. The shoe of claim 162, wherein the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion both along at least a portion of a medial side and a lateral side of the shoe and on at least a portion of a forward facing portion and a rearward facing portion of the peripheral portion of the flexible plate.

185. The shoe of claim 162, wherein at least one of the peripheral portions of the plate being restrained from movement is along the upper surface of the plate and at least one of the peripheral portions of the plate being restrained from movement is along the lower surface of the plate.

186. The shoe of claim 185, wherein the peripheral portions are both toward the front of the shoe.

187. The shoe of claim 185, wherein the peripheral portions are both toward the back of the shoe.

188. The shoe of claim 185, wherein the peripheral portions arc both on the lateral side of the shoe.

189. The shoe of claim 185, wherein the peripheral portions are both on the medial side of the shoe.

190. The shoe of claim 185, wherein the peripheral portions of the upper and lower surfaces are proximate one another.

191. The shoe of claim 190, wherein the capable of being deflected interior portion is located between the peripheral portions of the upper and lower surfaces and a point beneath a central portion of the heel region of the upper.

192. A shoe comprising:

an upper having a heel region;

a rear sole secured below the heel region of the upper; and

a flexible plate having upper and lower surfaces and supported between at least a portion of the rear sole and at least a portion of the heel region of the upper;

at least a portion of the periphery of the plate being restrained from movement in a substantially vertical direction relative to an interior portion so that the interior portion of the plate is capable of being deflected relative to at least a portion of the restrained periphery in a substantially vertical direction; and

supporting structure located proximate the plate having at least one wall extending in a downward direction to at least partially define a recess, at least a portion of the rear sole secured in the recess of the supporting structure.

193. The shoe of claim 192, wherein the interior portion of the plate is positioned over a void.

194. The shoe of claim 193, wherein at least one portion of a cross section of the plate parallel to the major axis of the shoe defines a curve in a direction generally from a front of the shoe to a back of the shoe.

195. The shoe of claim 194, wherein the plate has an upper surface with at least two convex portions, at least a portion of the upper surface being concave, the concave portion of the upper surface being located between the two convex portions of the upper surface.

196. The shoe of claim 195, wherein the portion of the periphery of the plate being restrained from movement relative to the interior portion includes at at least two spaced apart points along a medial side of the shoe and at at least two spaced apart points along a lateral side of the shoe, the interior portion of the plate being located above a point between the at least two points along the medial side of the shoe and the at least two points along the lateral side of the shoe and beneath the approximate center of the users heel.

197. The shoe of claim 196, wherein upon the deflection of the interior portion of the plate, the at least two points along the medial side of the shoe and the at least two points along the lateral side of the shoe are displaceable in a direction substantially parallel to the ground.

198. The shoe of claim 196, wherein the upper has an arch region, and further comprising an arch bridge integral with the plate, the arch bridge extending from a position proximate a forward portion of the plate, forward beneath at least a portion of the arch region of the upper, the arch bridge having a bottom surface that is at least in part visible from outside of the shoe.

199. The shoe of claim 198, further comprising at least one sidewall above at least a portion of the bottom surface of the rear sole, the at least one sidewall having at least one hole therethrough located on at least one of a lateral side, a medial side, and a rear of the shoe.

200. The shoe of claim 199, further comprising at least one wall proximate at least a portion of the periphery of the plate and extending in at least one of an upwardly direction and a downwardly direction from the plate, the at least one wall being integral with the plate.

201. The shoe of claim 200, wherein at least one portion of the periphery of the plate being restrained from movement is along the upper surface of the plate and at least one other portion of the periphery of the plate being restrained from movement is along the lower surface of the plate.

202. The shoe of claim 201, wherein the portions of the periphery of the upper and lower surfaces being restrained from movement are proximate one another.

203. The shoe of claim 202, where the capable of being deflected interior portion is located between the portions of the periphery of the upper and lower surfaces being restrained and a point beneath a central portion of the heel region of the upper.

204. A shoe comprising:

an upper having a heel region;

a rear sole secured below the heel region and having rearward portion, the rear sole further having a bottom surface at least a portion of which is ground engaging, the ground-engaging portion of the bottom surface including at least one substantially planar portion and at least one portion non-planar with the at least one substantially planar portion, the at least one non-planar portion being positioned proximate a perimeter of the bottom surface and inclined upwardly in a direction toward the perimeter of the bottom surface from another portion of the bottom surface, the at least one non-planar portion having an outer edge coincident with the perimeter of the bottom surface and being located proximate the rearward portion of the rear sole;

a flexible plate having upper and lower surfaces and positioned between at least a portion of the rear sole and at least a portion of the heel region of the upper, peripheral portions of the plate being restrained from movement relative to an interior portion of the plate in a direction substantially perpendicular to a major axis of the shoe so that the interior portion of the plate is capable of being deflected relative to the peripheral portions in a direction substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the shoe, at least a portion of at least one cross-section of the plate defining a curve, the interior portion of the plate being positioned over a void, and the lower surface of the plate being at least in part visible from outside of the shoe, the plate having at least one opening therein, the at least one opening having a center located beneath the approximate center of the user'"'"'s heel; and

a sidewall that includes midsole material located beneath the plate, the sidewall having an exterior surface that is at least in pad visible from outside the shoe and an interior surface that at least partially defines the void, the sidewall further having at least one opening therethrough on at least one of a lateral side of the shoe, a medial side of the shoe, and a rear of the shoe.

205. The shoe of claim 204, wherein the at least one opening in the sidewall is on both a medial side of the shoe and a lateral side of the shoe.

206. The shoe of claim 204, wherein the at least one opening in the sidewall is on both a medial side of the shoe and a lateral side of the shoe, and on a rear of the shoe.

207. The shoe of claim 204, wherein the void is visible at least in part from outside the shoe through the at least one opening in the sidewall.

208. The shoe of claim 204, wherein the lower surface of the plate is visible at least in part from outside the shoe through the at least one opening in the sidewall.

209. The shoe of claim 204, wherein the interior surface of the sidewall is visible at least in part from outside the shoe through the at least one opening in the sidewall.

210. The shoe of claim 204, wherein the at least one non-planar portion has a maximum linear dimension less than the greatest width of the bottom surface along a line perpendicular to a major axis of the shoe.

211. The shoe of claim 204, wherein the bottom surface includes an outsole material that is ground engaging, the rear sole including midsole material above the outsole material, at least a portion of the midsole material above the at least one non-planar portion being thinner than the midsole material above the at least one substantially planar portion of the bottom surface of the rear sole.

212. The shoe of claim 204, wherein the plate has multiple elongated cut-out portions therethrough.

213. The shoe of claim 212, wherein the elongated cut-out portions are oriented around the center of the opening.

214. The shoe of claim 213, wherein the elongated cut-out portions are evenly spaced around the center of the opening.

215. The shoe of claim 214, wherein the elongated cut-out portions have a length and are oriented around the center of the opening such that the length is in a direction away from the center of the opening and toward the periphery of the plate.

216. The shoe of claim 215, wherein a mid-longitudinal axis along the length of the elongated cut-out portions passes through the approximate center of the opening.

217. The shoe of claim 204, wherein a portion of the interior portion of the plate is thinner than a portion of the peripheral portions of the plate.

218. The shoe of claim 216, wherein the elongated cut-out portions are spaced around the center of the opening in a star-like pattern.

219. The shoe of claim 216, wherein the plate has six elongated cut-out portions around the center of the opening, the cut-out portions being oriented around the center of the opening in 60-degree increments.

220. The shoe of claim 204, wherein the at least one opening in the plate is at least in part visible from outside the shoe.

221. The shoe of claim 204, wherein the non-planar portion of the ground-engaging portion of the bottom surface of the rear sole includes an interior edge, the interior edge being located proximate an opening in the ground-engaging portion of the bottom surface.

222. The shoe of claim 221, wherein the interior edge is at least in part curved.

223. The shoe of claim 221, wherein the interior edge is at least in part arc-shaped.

224. The shoe of claim 221, wherein the interior edge defines at least a portion of a circle.

225. The shoe of claim 221, wherein the opening is substantially circular shape.

226. The shoe of claim 221, wherein the rear sole has an interior sidewall adjacent and extending upwardly from the interior edge of the non-planar portion of the ground-engaging portion of the bottom surface.

227. The shoe of claim 221, wherein the interior edge defines a thickness of a layer of an outsole material, the outsole layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface contacting another portion of the rear sole and the lower surface comprising at least a portion of the bottom surface of the rear sole.

228. The shoe of claim 221, wherein the opening in the ground-engaging portion of the bottom surface exposes a wall that defines, at least in part, a truncated cone.

229. The shoe of claim 204, wherein the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion at a point along a medial side and at a point along a lateral side of the shoe.

230. The shoe of claim 204, wherein a forward facing portion and a rearward facing portion of the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion.

231. The shoe of claim 204, wherein the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion both at a point along a medial side and at a point along a lateral side of the shoe and along a forward facing portion and a rearward facing portion of the peripheral portions of the flexible plate.

232. The shoe of claim 204, wherein the peripheral portions of the flexible plate are restrained from movement relative to the interior portion both along at least a portion of a medial side and at least a portion of a lateral side of the shoe and on at least a portion of a forward facing portion and at least a portion of a rearward facing portion of the peripheral portions of the flexible plate.

233. The shoe of claim 204, wherein at least one of the peripheral portions of the plate being restrained from movement is along the upper surface of the plate and at least one of the peripheral portions of the plate being restrained from movement is along the lower surface of the plate.

234. The shoe of claim 233, wherein the peripheral portions are both toward the front of the shoe.

235. The shoe of claim 233, wherein the peripheral portions are both toward the back of the shoe.

236. The shoe of claim 233, wherein the peripheral portions are both on the lateral side of the shoe.

237. The shoe of claim 233, wherein the peripheral portions are both on the medial side of the shoe.

238. The shoe of claim 233, wherein the peripheral portions of the upper and lower surfaces are proximate one another.

239. The shoe of claim 238, wherein the capable of being deflected interior portion is located between the peripheral portions of the upper and lower surfaces and a point beneath a central portion of the heel region of the upper.