Abstract: A shoe sole includes a body portion which extends from a toe end of the shoe to a heel end and either two inflatable tubes that extend along the sides of the body portion or a single inflatable tube that extends around the periphery of the body portion so as to define an elongated recess that exposes the bottom surface of the body portion, the fluid in the inflatable tube(s) moving therewithin when more load is applied on one side of the shoe defining use than the other.

Abstract: A closing device for ski boots and the like, composed of a strapping (7) comprising a flexible cord (8) in the form of a closed loop, one of the ends (10) of which is secured to one of the edges (5) of the part (4) of the boot allowing it to be opened and the other end (14) of which can be subjected to the action of a lever (9) capable of pivoting about a pivot pin (11) provided on the other edge (6) of the part of the boot allowing it to be opened, in order to exert a pull to ensure closing. The pivoting lever (9) is mounted permanently on the boot and possesses, over its length, a continuous slot (15), in which the end (11) of the loop (8) on which the pull is exerted slides freely, in such a way that the two ends of the flexible cord (8) in the form of a closed loop are kept permanently on either side of the two edges of the element of the boot allowing it to be opened and closed.

Abstract: An athletic running shoe having a polymeric foamed midsole and a special stiffening formation formed separately of the midsole and received between two layers of the midsole to reduce non-uniform midsole degradation.

Abstract: A sports shoe, provided with a heel counter comprising a heel side wall part having a curved shape, a folded wall part integrally formed along the edge of the heel side wall part as projected inside the curve, and a stationary plate part integrally formed on the side of the heel side wall part opposite to the edge, the heel side lateral wall having one of the lateral wall parts thereof formed as extended farther forward than the other lateral wall part of the heel side wall part on the arch side of foot and the folded wall part being nipped between the upper of the sports shoe and the sole thereof.

Abstract: A shoe having a uniquely shaped platform along the rear peripheral edge of the insole, which is constructed of a rigid backpart material. By combining it with a construction of a specially molded outflange counter and using a sturdy stitched lasting construction fastening securely the outward flange of the counter with the specially lasted molded leather upper together with the outward extension of the specially shaped insole platform, a stable support system is formed to control the lateral and longitudinal orientation of the foot when walking. The forepart of the shoe may be of moccasin. Strobel modified welt-type or other construction which provides varying degrees of flexbility.

Abstract: Articles of footwear are provided with a battery and a light source and a motion responsive switch to intermittently connect said battery to said light source. The light source is preferably an LED and there is preferably a circuit to extinguish the light after a predetermined interval.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing overshoes made from an elongated rectangular flexible sheet of material. The method comprises the following steps: (a) gathering the sheet material by parallel stitching two elastic strips on the opposite side edge portions respectively of the sheet; (b) folding the sheet in two along its longitudinal center line, so as to bring the two gathered side edge portions in respective abutting register; (c) with an ultrasonic press, weakening narrow sections of the sheet transversely to the axis of the longitudinal center line, at regular intervals, and concurrently cross-bonding the sheet along both edge portions defined by each one of the weakened narrow sections of the sheet; and (d) detaching the desired segment of sheet of material along the line of bonding, for any one overshoe. Also, the products obtained by the above-described method.

Abstract: A cyclist shoe comprises a sole and an upper. The upper has a vamp with a variable throat located between side panels. Separately adjustable inner and outer straps have releasable hook and pile connections. Opposite end portions of each strap are secured to the side panels. The inner strap extends across the throat and along one side panel in a diagonal direction for primarily fitting the shoe to a cyclist's instep. The outer strap comprises a relatively large, flexible panel covering a substantial portion of the vamp around the throat. It extends across the vamp and the side panels in a transverse direction for primarily fitting the shoe to the cyclist's forefoot. A free end of the inner strap is exposed through a window in the outer strap enabling adjustment of the inner strap independently of the outer strap.

Abstract: A shoe including a mid-sole layer, a lower layer, an air compression cavity, an air envelope, a shoe pad, an inner and outer vamp and an ornament. The air envelope is connected to the air compression cavity via an air-transmission tube which extends from the air compression cavity, passes through the mid-sole layer, is layered between the front end and outer inner of the vamp and extends through to the upper side of the vamp. The air compression cavity is set between the mid-sole layer and the shoe pad corresponding to the position of the heel portion of the shoe so that the air compression cavity is compressed and decompressed periodly as the wearer is walking. The ornament is adhered to the air envelope and is vibrated up and down via the air forced in and out by the air compression cavity in walking.

Abstract: A midsole (10 and 22) for an activewear shoe (12) comprises a removable insert (10) and a peripheral member (22). The peripheral member (22) is joined to the perimeter of an upper surface (18) of an outsole (14). A reinforcing layer (28) substantially less thick than the peripheral member (22) is joined to the outsole upper surface (18). A transverse reinforcing segment (30) is integrally formed with the peripheral member (22) to provide stability and support to a wearer of the shoe (12). Segment (30) forms a front receptacle (32) and a heel receptacle (34) dimensioned to receive insert (10). Insert (10) has a transverse slot (42) to match with the transverse segment (30). A plurality of independent cushioning elements (40) depend from a base member (38) of insert (10), and are sized in order to conform to the depth of peripheral member (22). The cushionability and resiliency of insert (10) may be selected according to the wearer's weight and cushionability preference.

Abstract: A foot-support element such as an insole or a part of an insole is provided with a checkvalve through which it can be selectively inflated, the top and bottom walls of the insole being bridged by partitions which retain the shape upon pressurization. The insole is formed with upper and lower parts in upper and lower die members working together with an intermediate die member which, upon removal, allows the upper and lower die members to be brought together to fuse the parts of the insole together.

Abstract: A boot oversole and carrier attachment for boots, such as ski boots, provides several advantages. The boot oversole is characterized by a wedged thickness which compensates for the unnatural leg angle imposed by ski boots. A pair of oversoles may be easily attached to ski boots for improved walking and protection of the boot soles, and may be easily removed for normal skiing operation. The tread of the oversole is preferably of dovetail grooves to provide good traction and to allow the oversoles of a mating pair to be easily interlocked. A handle and a storage base are provided on each oversole without interfering with the walking characteristics, for conveniently carrying and storing a pair of boots mounted on the interlocked oversoles.

Abstract: A midsole (12 and 24) for an activewear shoe (10) comprises a removable insert (12) and a peripheral member (24). The peripheral member (24) is joined to the perimeter of an upper surface (20) of an outsole (16). A plurality of independent cushioning elements (40) depend from a base member (38) of insert (12), and are sized in order to conform to the depth of peripheral member (24). A window (14) is formed through the peripheral member (24) and/or the outsole (16) to allow observation of the insert (12) from exterior the shoe (10). To reinforce the peripheral member (24) proximate the window (14), a row of stiffened cushioning elements (62) is formed on the insert (12). The stiffened elements (62) have a higher durometer reading than the remaining elements (40) and are formed during an injection molding process. A transverse reinforcing segment (31) may be provided to inhibit movement of the insert (12) within the shoe (10).

Abstract: There is provided a ski boot formed of plastic material and having a sole and a shaft consisting of a front shaft part having a shell and a rear shaft part articulated on the shell at the heel. The front shaft part is provided with zones of weakness in the arch and shin areas which increase the flexibility of the front shaft part in the longitudinal direction of the boot. Stiffening elements are provided in the zones of weakness extending transversely to the boot axis and having a variable effect on the flexibility of the front shaft part of the boot. The zones of weakness are formed by wave-like elevations and depressions on the front shaft part, the elevations projecting against the outer side of the boot so as to define hollow spaces sealed against the front side of the boot and accommodating therein the stiffening elements.

Abstract: An article of footwear with a spring device positioned in the heel portion of the article's midsole. The device is comprised of two, horizontal, rectangular, semi-elliptical shaped plates, with outwardly curving surfaces facing, joined at either end and having a plurality of springs positioned between the plates and joined to the plates at either end of the plates.

Abstract: A boot warmer apparatus is set forth wherein a pocket is secured to a boot in overlying orientation to the toe portion of the boot wherein a Velcro.TM. securable blind pocket accepts in frictional fashion a heating module for imparting warmth to a user of the instant invention. A plurality of straps are securable to the pocket portion of the apparatus and fastenable about the ankle portion of the boot structure for securement thereto.

Abstract: The device includes a box-like body associated with a ski boot, an actuating knob rotatably associated with the body and acting on two winding spools adapted to wind traction elements, such as cables. The knob univocally controls the spools through mechanical reduction means. Means being furthermore provided to finely adjust the tensioning of at least one cable independently.

Abstract: A personalized insole self made by a patient for relief of foot discomfort and which includes a plurality of corrective components each having a shape formed for a specific correction, an insole which has a surface that contains a plurality of shapes, each disposed for a specific correction and each shape of the plurality of shapes that are contained on the surface of the insole are substantially equivalent to a respective shape of a corrective component of the plurality of corrective components, hooks and loops for affixing the plurality of corrective components to the surface of the insole so as to allow the patient to modify the insole by affixing a corrective component for the specific correction of the plurality of corrective components to a substantially equivalent shape of the plurality of shapes that are contained on the surface of the insole so that a personalized insole can be self made by the patient for the relief of foot discomfort.

Abstract: This ski boot of semi-rigid synthetic material has a lower portion (3) comprising the sole and at least one pair of opposite flaps (11, 12, 13, 14) controlled by means of a foot-tightening system. The flaps are covered by a vamp (5) attached or not to the front quarter (4) of the boot shaft. This front quarter (4) is allowed to bend forwards with respect to the vamp (5) and bears against a resilient member (29) mounted on or under the vamp so as to provide an elastic flexion of which the elasticity is adjustable. With this construction the skier's foot is properly held in the boot without impairing the boot tightness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a front piece for shoes which is matched to the shape of the tip of the foot and is composed of a top part covering the tip of the foot and of a flank surrounding the tip and sides. The front piece is composed of a hard or elastic material which is produced in one piece and has, on its top part, a recess for fastening the upper and, around its flank, a further recess for receiving a surrounding or fastening strip. The top part of the front piece tapers towards the shoe into a soft thin lip. A shoe having a front piece is also disclosed.