Heel/metatarsal structure having tapered stabilizing bulges

Shoe sole and/or heel structure comprising:

• an outer member including a heel portion and/or a metatarsal portion and having an exterior surface and a peripheral edge and a longitudinal axis, first and second bulges formed in one of said portions and projecting from said exterior surface and respectively defining first and second fluid-containing cavities, said first bulge being generally U-shaped and having a bight portion and two elongated leg portions, each of said leg portions being disposed closer to the peripheral edge than to the longitudinal axis and extending along the peripheral edge from a bight end to a distal end, said first cavity having a cross-sectional area which tapers from a maximum value at the bight ends of said leg portions to a minimum value at the distal ends of said leg portions, each of said leg portions having a width substantially less than the distance therebetween, said second bulge being disposed between said leg portions of said first bulge, and a restricted passageway formed in said outer member and communicating with each of said first and second cavities.

Shoe sole and/or heel structure comprising:

• an outer member including a heel portion and/or a metatarsal portion and having an exterior surface and a peripheral edge and a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of bulges formed in said member and projecting from said exterior surface and respectively defining fluid-containing cavities, one of said bulges being generally U-shaped and having a bight portion and two elongated leg portions, each of said leg portions being disposed closer to the peripheral edge than to the longitudinal axis and extending along the peripheral edge from a bight end to a distal end, the cavity defined by said one bulge having a cross-sectional area which tapers from a maximum value at the bight ends of said leg portions to a minimum value at the distal ends of said leg portions, each of said leg portions having a width substantially less than the distance therebetween, the cavity defined by said one bulge being isolated from any other cavity.