Abstract: The inventive subject matter provides an adjustable midsole that can be contained within sole units for shoes generally and particularly within thin profile sole units. An adjustment of the midsole results in a change in the profile of a predetermined portion of the foot-supporting surface of a shoe to help accommodate the foot morphology of a particular wearer or to provide performance enhancements.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of a contoured insole construction includes a driving mechanism for moving a sheet of continuous material along a cutting path by a pair of closely spaced apart form factor rollers and then using them to simultaneously deform the sheet of continuous material and to guide a flexible continuous knife belt disposed within the cutting path into cutting engagement with the sheet along a desired contour formed by the pair of rollers to separate a contoured single piece footwear construction from the sheet of continuous material.

Abstract: A novelty footwear item includes a mid-sole foot platform for supporting from below the foot of a user, an outer sole for providing the footwear item with turning traction and a stash assembly sandwiched between the mid-sole foot platform and the outer sole, wherein said stash assembly has disposed therein a slidably removable comb sufficient width, length and depth dimensions for storage therein of loose items.

Abstract: A novelty footwear construction includes a cassette-like heel component which is sandwiched between a mid-sole and an outsole for supporting the heel of a user, and wherein the heel component includes an upper retainer, a lower retainer, and a hollow flask for supporting the heel of a user and for providing the user with a source of fluid refreshment.

Abstract: A novelty footwear item includes a flexible outsole, a flexible footbed and a flexible elongated wedge-shape midsole. The midsole has a unitary construction including a heel support area and an arch support area. An open storage compartment is disposed within the heel support area and is concealed by the footbed which overlays the midsole and the outsole. The footbed is fixedly attached to a front toe area of the outsole and fixedly attached to the midsole at about the arch support area. The footbed is further removably attached to the midsole at about the heel support area so that the footbed may be lifted up pivotally and way from the heel support area to provide user access to the storage compartment. Stiffeners disposed within the footbed facilitate the pivoting of the footbed and prevent collapse of the footbed into the compartment under a user load.

Abstract: A novelty footwear item includes a footwear construction with a heel compartment that has a sufficient height dimension and a sufficient width dimension to support from below the heel of a user and which is adapted to receive therein a removable locking surfboard wax roughing comb which in turn has sufficient height, width and depth dimensions for the storage of a bar of surfboard wax.

Abstract: A novelty footwear item includes a footbed and a heel-shaped storage unit which has a liftable lid. The footbed and the storage unit are mounted within a wedge-shaped cupsole so that a rear portion of the footbed overlays and conceals the storage unit and pivots up and away from the cupsole in unison with the lid when it is lifted to provide a user access to the heel-shaped storage unit.

Abstract: A novelty footwear item includes a mid-sole foot platform for supporting from below the foot of a user, an outer sole for providing the footwear item with turning traction and a stash assembly sandwiched between the mid-sole foot platform and the outer sole, wherein said stash assembly has disposed therein a slidably removable comb sufficient width, length and depth dimensions for storage therein of loose items.

Abstract: A novelty footwear construction includes a cassette-like heel component which is sandwiched between a mid-sole and an outsole for supporting the heel of a user, and wherein the heel component includes an upper retainer, a lower retainer, and a hollow flask for supporting the heel of a user and for providing the user with a source of fluid refreshment.

Abstract: A novelty construction includes a fin key for locking and unlocking a water device fin and a sealing cap opener disposed on the fin key for prying open a sealing cap of a sealed container, wherein the fin key and the sealing cap opener are partially encased with a finger gripping construction that facilitates rotational movement of the fin key and lever-like prying motion of the sealing cap opener.

Abstract: A contoured insole construction is a single-piece insole construction which is contoured at about a foot receiving area thereof including an integrally formed raised foot receiving base region bounded by a lower outer lip perimeter region. In an alternative embodiment, the single-piece insole construction which is contoured at about the foot receiving area thereof includes a raised outer lip perimeter region and a lowered foot-receiving base region bounded by said raised outer lip perimeter region.

Abstract: A footwear construction apparatus and method includes a driving mechanism for moving a sheet of continuous material along a cutting path by a pair of closely spaced apart form factor rollers and then using them to simultaneously deform the sheet of continuous material and to guide a flexible continuous knife belt disposed within the cutting path into cutting engagement with the sheet along a desired contour formed by the pair of rollers to separate a contoured single piece footwear construction from the sheet of continuous material.

Abstract: A novelty footwear item includes an upper, a lower and an opener for protecting the foot of a user and for facilitating unsealing a sealed container with the footwear item.

Abstract: A convertible slide and method for slide-type sandals typically used in the out-of-doors includes rubber and synthetic materials and exhibits a lightweight robust, high-strength, flexible construction including a midsole for supporting a foot. A vamp is securely attached to the midsole for covering the foot and includes a pair of outwardly extending studs for providing a pair of pivot points. A rear heel strap is provided for securing the convertible slide to the foot. The heel strap is rotatively connected to the pair of outwardly extending studs for rotating between a first lowered position about the heel of the foot and a second raised position above the vamp. Finally, an outsole is bonded to the midsole for contacting the ground surface. In a first alternative embodiment, the pair of outwardly extending studs is replaced by a pair of rivets while in a second alternative embodiment, the pair of outwardly extending studs is replaced by a pair of threaded screws.

Abstract: A sandal having an active, self-adjusting harness and method therefore typically used in the out-of-doors for rigorous activities includes rubber and synthetic materials and exhibits a lightweight robust, high-strength, flexible construction including an elongated sole for supporting a foot where the sole has a toe end and a heel end. A center toe strap is anchored in the toe end and includes a distal end fixedly connected to a front buckle. A rear strap is anchored in the heel end and has a first end and a second end extending above the sole. The first end and the second end of the rear strap are respectively connected to an inside rear buckle and an outside rear buckle. A self-adjusting harness comprised of a single strap is anchored in the toe end. The single strap includes an inside end and an outside end each extending above the sole.