Abstract: A leg garment according to the present invention includes a body portion covering at least an instep, a sole and an ankle of a leg. The leg garment includes a support strip exerting a tightening force larger than that of a portion of the leg garment around the support strip. The support strip is arranged in the shape of an inwardly-wound helix extending from the instep to the ankle through the sole. The support strip includes: a first tightening portion arranged so as to medially extend from the instep to the sole; and a second tightening portion arranged so as to extend obliquely upward from a lateral side to a medial side of a ventral ankle, the second tightening portion compressing the ventral ankle via a surface thereof.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes one or more outsole portions. At least some of these outsole portions include a plurality of alternating upward-facing and downward-facing elongate channels. The channels may have a base and two sidewalls, with adjacent channels sharing a common sidewall. The bases of the downward-facing channels form an upper surface of the outsole portion and the bases of the upward-facing channels form a lower surface of the outsole portion. The sidewalls are arranged at non-perpendicular angles to the upper surface. A first outsole portion has a pressure-versus-strain curve having a local maximum at a “trip point” pressure value and a first strain value and wherein the pressure-versus-strain curve has a change in strain of at least approximately 10% before a second occurrence of the “trip point” pressure value is reached. An article of footwear having the sole structure attached to an upper is also provided.

Abstract: A leg covering adapted for use with a wheelchair. The present leg covering includes an outer covering having a closed end, an open end, and one or more straps positioned adjacently to the open end such that the covering can be secured to the armrests of a wheelchair once drawn over the user's legs. The leg covering further comprises a liner removably insertable therein, which provides an additional layer of insulating material for especially cold or otherwise inclement weather conditions. The outer covering additionally has a zipper disposed on the front portion thereof to provide other individuals with the ability to access to catheters, colostomy bags, or other such objects stored beneath the covering in a discrete manner. The liner has a front slit or opening aligned with the outer covering zipper so that it does not act as an impediment to accessing the internal volume of the covering.

Abstract: A sole structure of an article of footwear has a support assembly structure including a flexure element and an upper support element. The flexure element may have a central portion located between first and second ground-contacting or lower regions, wherein the central portion may have a downwardly concavely-curved shell-like region. The flexure element also may have first and second flanges extending upward from the first and second lower regions, respectively. The upper support element is positioned above the central portion and between the first and second flanges of the flexure element. When a vertical compressive load is first applied to the upper support element, the upper support element moves vertically relative to the first and second flanges. An article of footwear having the sole structure attached to an upper is also provided.

Abstract: An impact-absorbing padding system made of a single-layer thermoplastic polyurethane sheet. The bottom of the sheet is flat, and the top side is also flat and has multiple, spaced apart projections. The projections are frustaconal in shape, having a flat top side and an open bottom. At least some of the projections are connected by ribs. The number and height of the ribs varies to achieve variable hardness within the system.

Abstract: A shank for an article of footwear including a substantially planar base portion extending within a first plane in the longitudinal and lateral directions and a substantially planar ramp portion designed to absorb footwear loads in a vertical direction, the ramp portion extending, in an uncompressed state, within a second plane that is oblique to the first plane. The base portion and the ramp portion are arranged such that they do not overlap in the vertical direction. A sole assembly is also described and includes an outsole divided into a first portion located at a forefoot portion of the sole assembly and a second portion located at an arch portion of the sole assembly. The second portion is designed to contact the midsole in a compressed state and form a gap between when a load is removed. Related methods of manufacturing are also described.

Abstract: Helmets and helmet fit systems are disclosed herein. The helmets include a shell and the helmet fit system. The helmet fit system includes a passive adjustment mechanism. The passive adjustment mechanism is configured to automatically and passively vary a length of a perimeter that is defined by the helmet responsive to a tension force that is applied to the passive adjustment mechanism by a remainder of the helmet. Some helmet fit systems further include a manual adjustment mechanism configured to receive user input for selectively increasing and decreasing the length of the perimeter.

Abstract: An antiskid-style sole includes a sole body (1) and a number of projections (2) disposed on the sole body (1). The projections (2) are elastic columnar parts. A cavity (22) is disposed in the middle of end surface (23) of the projection (2), and the wall of the cavity (22) is in the shape of cambered surface or inclined surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device that stabilizes and/or protects the head and spine from injuries. An immobilization device includes one or more pillars with multiple segments that protect the head and spine of a user. The pillars typically run along the part of the head and spine and pelvis that the device protects. A wire or cable runs through these segments in the pillars. By design, when the pillars of the invented system are not activated and the system is in normal use, the pillars are designed to be as flexible as possible and allow full physiologic motion of the protected body part. Activation of the system confers rigidity to the system and prevents or lessens harmful, non-physiologic motion of the body part intended to be protected.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes an upper layer comprised of a plate member and a lower layer comprised of a plurality of segmented portions separated by flexing regions. The flexing regions may comprise portions of a compressible material. The sole structure accommodates vertical bending and torsion, while limiting lateral bending.

Abstract: A bio foot pad, comprising: a plurality of circumferential elastic fibers surrounded by a viscoelastic material; wherein said fibers impart a biphasic characteristic to said viscoelastic material; and wherein said fibers under compression develop a plurality of hoop stresses to facilitate load conversion and distribution of axial forces exerted against a heel area of a user.

Abstract: A sole structure can include an outsole with flexure zones that allow relative movement between regions of the outsole bottom surface that are separated or defined by the flexure zones. Such relative movement, together with selected traction elements or combinations of traction elements within the regions, act to provide the needed traction and stability for a number of motions that normally accompany a given activity such as golf.

Abstract: A shoe includes a sole, an actuator and a transducer. The actuator is mounted on one side of the sole. The transducer is mounted within the sole and includes a micro-motor, a link structure and a heater. The link structure is positioned between the micro-motor and the actuator and configured to move the micro-motor to generate electric energy. The heater is electrically coupled to the micro-motor and configured to convert the electric energy provided by the micro-motor to heat. When the actuator deforms or restores its deformation, the link structure moves thereby enabling the micro-motor to generate electric energy for the heater.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an intermediate covering portion with an adjustable volume. The intermediate covering portion is closed around the instep of the foot. The article also includes a tensioning system that can be used to change the volume of the intermediate covering portion.

Abstract: A multifunctional belt comprising an elongate belt strap having an end flap segment selectively transitional relative to a body segment between a looped configuration and an extended configuration. A fastener is coupled to the belt strap for securing the end flap segment in the looped configuration. A buckle is coupled to the belt strap and includes a buckle frame, a cross bar, and at least one tool bit. The buckle frame defines a longitudinal frame axis, and the cross bar extends between opposed portions of the buckle frame and defines cross bar axis that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal frame axis. The tool bit is pivotally coupled to the cross bar and is pivotable about the cross bar axis. The tool bit is sized and positioned to be captured between the end flap segment and the body segment when the end flap segment is in the looped configuration.

Abstract: A fusing system includes an upper member and a base member. The upper member includes a pressing layer and the base member is associated with a last member. The pressing layer has a contoured portion that approximates the shape of a portion of the last member. The upper member can be associated with the base portion and a vacuum can be applied so that the pressing layer is pulled down onto materials disposed on the last member for purposes of fusing the materials together to form articles, such as articles of footwear.

Abstract: Support plates, and footwear soles and articles of footwear containing the same. The support plate generally may provide one or more of heel cushioning, arch support in a midfoot region of the support plate, and integral medial and lateral legs extending from the midfoot region of the support plate towards an anterior end of the support plate. An article of footwear may include a support plate at least partially embedded within a sole assembly, such as a midsole thereof. The support plate may be configured to provide energy return and arch support to a wearer of the article of footwear. The support plate may include a domed structure with radially extending arms extending from a central heel portion, where the domed structure provides heel cushioning to the wearer when a force is transmitted through the midsole to the domed structure.

Abstract: A novel jacket garment worn by the driver of a tandem vehicle, such as a motorcycle, intended for rear passenger safety is disclosed. The novel garment comprises an outer shell, an inner lining, and an internal frame structure. The internal frame structure comprises a ribbing nexus comprising horizontal and vertical members. Novel features include handgrips disposed inside front pockets and connected to the internal frame structure. In some embodiments, the internal frame structure comprises elastic members. Pocket-borne handgrips may be attached to elastic members so that when engaged by a rear tandem passenger, the internal frame structure is tightened against the tandem vehicle driver's body to provide stain relief and additional stabilization of the jacket as a passenger safety device.

Abstract: A high-heeled shoe having a sole and a heel of at least 4 cm height provided thereto, wherein the heel is provided with a damping element. The damping element has different effective damping cross sections along the heel's longitudinal axis and/or is freely deformable in at least one direction perpendicular to the heel's longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A sole structure of an article of footwear includes a foam element and a non-foam element with different compressibilities. The foam element is positioned adjacent to the non-foam element. The non-foam element may define a plurality of apertures, with ends of at least a portion of the apertures being located adjacent to a lower area of the foam element. The non-foam element may also form a protrusion that may be located in a central area of the non-foam element and extends into the foam element. In addition, a portion of the non-foam element that forms a side of the sole structure may define an indentation.