Abstract: A desert boot or shoe outsole for walking on sand having longitudinal ridges defining gaps between them, a continuous outer edge around the sole capable of containing sand while walking, and a sharp forward heel edge. Each ridge and gap has a cross sectional area, and each cross sectional area increases from a minimum at the outer edge to a maximum at the center of the outsole.

Abstract: A tightening device adapted to equip an article of footwear, which makes it possible to hold the foot laterally, while distributing on the foot the pressure generated by the tightening device. The tightening device includes an upper flap that partially covers a lower flap. The flaps hold the foot by the tightening device which includes at least one anchor positioned on each of the flaps. The upper flap is more flexible than the lower flap.

Abstract: The invention is an article of footwear that includes a sole structure having a plate assembly that includes a separator plate and a split plate. The split plate is located in a midfoot portion of the sole structure and includes a lateral portion and a medial portion separated by a split. The separator plate is located within the split and is attached to the split plate. When compressed against a surface, the longitudinal portion and the medial portion separate further, thereby increasing the width of the split and dissipating energy.

Abstract: A closure system comprises a hook and pile material having hooks on one side and pile on the other side. With regard to footwear, the present invention is a shoe comprising this material allowing a wearer to adjust the point of attachment of closure straps on the exterior of the outer member of the shoe, thereby allowing every shoe wearer to wear the strap across the throat of the shoe at a different location. With regard to apparel, the present invention is a closure system comprising a single-ply hook and pile material in which the overlapped piece, or the exterior piece attaches to the underlapped piece, or the interior piece that provides the wearer with the ability to customize the fitting of the apparel, including the tightness of the apparel around an individual.

Abstract: A footwear construction comprising a flexible and resilient outsole having a front portion with a plurality of depending moguls on the bottom surface thereof. A midsole is positioned over the outsole and has a front portion with a plurality of spaced holes therethrough which are substantially vertically aligned with some or all of the moguls to enable air flow through the midsole when the moguls are deformed by the weight and walking action of the wearer. A footbed is positioned over the midsole and comprises a soft flexible and resilient body member having a plurality of spaced, raised cushioning elements on the upper surface thereof. The footbed has a front portion with a plurality of spaced apertures therethrough which are substantially vertically aligned with some or all of the holes in the midsole to enable air flow through the body member. An upper extends over the footbed and midsole, and is secured to the outsole.

Abstract: A substantially pleatless ballet slipper has a non-elastic upper, and an elastic or stretchy toe piece affixed to the forward edge of the upper. The toe piece has a small amount of bunched material at its underside. An outsole is affixed to the toe piece and covers substantially all bunched material or pleats of the toe piece. One or more cushioning pads located on the interior of the slipper make the small amount of bunched material imperceptible to the dancer.

Abstract: This invention pertains to enclosed footwear in combination with a leg covering or body covering that is storable within a compartment that is integral with an exterior of the enclosed footwear. The leg covering can be either a gaiter or a pants leg portion, and the body covering can be either a sack portion or a suit portion. The leg covering or body covering can be of a material that is protective against biological attacks, chemical attacks, nuclear radiation and snake bites. The leg covering or body covering can also be flame resistant, thermally protective and cut proof.

Abstract: The invention relates to footwear comprising a shank (11) and a sole construction having an outsole (19). The shank (11) is constructed with an upper material (13) and with a water-tight functional layer (15) which at least partially lines the upper material (13) on the inner side thereof. In addition, the shank comprises a shank end area (61) which is situated on the side of the sole and which has an upper material end area (21) and a functional layer end area (23). The functional layer end area (23) comprises an area which requires sealing, and the outsole (19) is glued to the shank end area (61) by means of an outsole adhesive situated on said outsole. The outsole adhesive is formed by a reactive hot-melt adhesive is formed by a reactive hot-melt adhesive (33, 33a) at least in one outsole partial area located opposite the area of the functional end area (23) which requires sealing. Said hot-melt adhesive leads to water impermeability when completely reacted.

Abstract: A shoe includes an upper which has a substantially U-shaped first notched edge, a first cutout confined by the first notched edge, and a connection seam spaced apart from and extending around the first notched edge, an inner lining which is disposed inside the upper and has a second notched edge corresponding in position to the first notched edge; and a tongue which is waterproof and which has a marginal end. The marginal end of the tongue is attached to the upper along the connection seam and is attached to the inner lining along the second notched edge.

Abstract: A boot provided with a tongue, the tongue having a lower portion and an upper portion joined by an intermediary portion. The tongue has a main flexible panel to which a semi-rigid reinforcement is affixed, the reinforcement having an elongated body that extends substantially along a longitudinal median line and over the length of the panel, the reinforcement having at least one lateral extension, each extension originating from the elongated body in the area of the lower and/or upper portion, and extending at least partially up to the area of the intermediary portion.

Abstract: A protective boot made from a foldable material such as Nomex™ material or Kevlar™ material or, for some applications, such as neoprene has an ankle-covering portion and a foot-covering portion, which has a heel end and a toe end. Near the toe end, the foot-covering portion is foldable onto itself and is fastenable to itself when and where folded onto itself, whereby the foot-covering portion can be adjustably sized. Hook-and-loop fasteners, which are preferred, or other fasteners are used for fastening the foot-covering portion releasably to itself when and where folded onto itself, at any one of plural positions. Hook-and-loop fasteners, if used therefor, enable the foot-covering portion to be releasably fastened to itself when and where folded onto itself, at any position within a range of possible positions. The protective boot has two hook-and-loop straps, each drawn around the protective boot and fastened to itself and to said fastening means.

Abstract: A pant cuff protector for use with long pants for holding a cuff of a pant leg away from the ground comprises a first clamping body affixed proximate a wearer's ankle, a second clamping body magnetically attractable to the first clamping body, and optionally a strap therebetween.

Abstract: A sports shoe, comprising a soft upper provided with a cuff and with a rear counter which are semirigid and are separately connected to the upper, an additional semirigid element that is associated with the upper or monolithically coupled thereto, in an intermediate region, between the cuff and the counter, the additional semirigid element having, at the rear and/or laterally, at least one first tab and at least one second tab for sliding engagement in first guides formed in the cuff and in the counter.

Abstract: A heel for a shoe includes a first relatively flat surface for contacting the ground when one is walking while wearing a shoe having the heel and a second relatively flat surface for contacting the ground when one is dancing and wearing a shoe having the heel. A pair of shoes can have one or two such heels. Preferably, there is a lower-friction portion on the second relatively flat surface. The second relatively flat surface allows one to relatively easily spin while dancing, as compared to dancing with shoes having normal heels.

Abstract: An outsole for a shoe, especially a house slipper, has an outer layer constituted of a fabric material, and a backing layer constituted of a shape-retaining, moldable material. The fabric layer and the backing layer are molded integrally together to provide the outsole with increased slip resistance, quieter usage and increased shape retention.

Abstract: Bi-level methods of customizing orthotics are provided. In a first level of customization, orthotics are selected based upon the needs and personal characteristics of an individual. In a second level of customization, inserts are added to the orthotics based upon at least the individual's foot type.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a shoe structure including an exterior upper sewn at a lower end of the exterior upper lower end to an insole and an interior upper including a waterproof, water-vapour permeable functional layer and a lining, the interior upper having in the region of the sole, an inwardly folded end portion which is connected in a waterproof manner to the insole and has a perimetral edge enclosing an opening.

Abstract: A shoe structure includes an upper made of an outer material, a waterproof and water vapor permeable functional layer, a lining, an insole, and an injection-molded sole. The upper has an extension made of a porous, permeable material and the insole is joined to the extension of the upper. The functional layer and the lining extend beyond a lower edge of the upper and only partially overlap the extension of the upper. The functional layer is spaced from an edge of the insole and the extension of the upper is penetrated by the material of the sole. A part of the functional layer extending beyond a lower edge of the upper is joined to the material of the sole, and a space between the functional layer and the edge of the insole is filled with the material of the sole as far as the interior of the shoe structure.

Abstract: A footwear is constructed to include a sole provided with a breathable body at the top and an upper fastened to the sole for securing a foot. The breathable body is made of a plurality of intertwined elastic filaments having a compacted portion in an area in the breathable body and a design impressed on a surface of the compacted portion.

Abstract: A sole structure for an athletic shoe includes a heel region and a forefoot region, a midsole of a soft elastic material including a midsole heel portion at the heel region, and an outsole of a harder material including an outsole heel portion at the heel region and an outsole forefoot portion that extends from the outsole heel portion to the forefoot region. The midsole heel portion has wavy corrugations on a lower surface thereof and a smooth plane on an upper surface thereof. The outsole heel portion includes a corrugated wavy plate with corrugations through its thickness, which are in phase with the wavy corrugations on the lower surface of the midsole heel portion.