Importance

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Abstract

A sole of a shoe provides for limiting the flex of the shoe. The sole includes a flexible portion positioned in the flexing area of the shoe corresponding to the ball of the wearers foot, a generally rigid front plate extending forward from the flexible portion, and a generally rigid rear plate extending rearward from the flexible portion. Further, a flexible banding or strapping layer is provided for underlying the flexible portion and at least part of the front and rear plates. The flexible strapping layer is fixed to the flexible portion and to the plates to maintain the positional relationship therebetween. Further, the flexible portion includes a plurality of generally laterally extending rigid slats. In a cross-sectional view, each of the generally laterally extending rigid slats has a top, a bottom, and opposing side shoulders. The bottom is affixed directly to the strapping layer. At least one of the shoulders is tapered toward the top such that when the flexible portion is flexed, adjacent shoulders of adjacent slats bear upon one another after a predetermined range of flexing, thus limiting any further longitudinal flex of the flexible portion.

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First Claim