Abstract: An athletic shoe sole structure includes a midsole body that extends from a heel region to a forefoot region of a shoe, and an outsole body that is disposed under the midsole body, extends from the heel region to the forefoot region of the shoe, and is formed of a harder material than the midsole body. A heel portion of the outsole body includes a corrugation. The sole structure further includes a lower midsole disposed under the heel portion of the outsole body, an outsole heel portion attached at a lower surface of the lower midsole, and cleats provided at a lower surface of the outsole body. The sole structure having only two layers with the outsole and the midsole decreases the weight of the shoe, simplifies a manufacturing process, and reduces a manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A slip-on, moccasin-style golfing shoe has a shoe sole having a bottom surface with contours for gripping a golfing surface during striking of a golf ball; an upper, with the shoe sole, defining a volume for receiving a wearer's foot and defining an opening for insertion of a wearer's foot into the volume, the upper including resilient closure assembly fixedly extending across a forward portion of the opening; and, disposed within the volume, a heel cup of extended length, reduced width, and increased stiffness, for resisting lateral movement of a heel region of the wearer's foot during striking of a golf ball. The shoe sole defines a depressed footbed surface for a lower center of gravity and increased stability during golfing play.

Abstract: A shoe includes a shoe upper sized for receiving a range of foot sizes from a minimum foot size to a maximum foot size. A growth indicator is connected with the shoe upper and includes an indicator for indicating when the foot of a wearer is equal to or greater than the maximum size of the range of foot sizes.

Abstract: An orthopaedic shoe has an outsole and a special insole including an array of independently vertically movable sections or elements which are heat moldable to retain the contour of the users foot and which serve to reduce or avoid peak pressures and evenly distribute pressure during walking. The resilient sections preferably have a height which is substantially equal to or greater than the lateral extent of the sections, to permit swaying action and to reduce shear forces on the users feet.

Abstract: A shoe body for a left foot which includes an outsole body, double-side-slip-preventing projections and additional projections formed on a bottom surface of the outsole body, the outsole body, the double-side-slip-preventing projections and the additional projections being formed integrally and having a composition containing rubber or synthetic resin as a principal component. Each of the double-side-slip-preventing projections includes a bottom surface to be a grounding surface, a tiptoe side slip prevention wall, and a heel side slip prevention wall. The tiptoe side slip prevention wall is formed substantially along a line to be convex in a tiptoe direction and the heel side slip prevention wall is formed substantially along a line to be convex in a heel direction.

Abstract: In its simplest conceptual form, this invention relates to variations in the structure of such shoes having a sole contour which follows a theoretically ideal stability plane as a basic concept, but which deviates substantially therefrom outwardly, to provide greater than natural stability, so that joint motion of the wearer is restricted, especially the ankle joint; or, alternately, which deviates substantially therefrom inwardly, to provide less than natural stability, so that a greater freedom of joint motion is allowed. Alternately, substantial density variations or bottom sole designs are used instead of, or in combination with, substantial thickness variations for the same purpose. These shoe sole modifications are research indicating that they are necessary and useful to correct important interrelated anatomical/biomechanical imbalances or deformities of surprising large magnitude in both individuals or major population groups.

Abstract: An article of footwear including a sole and an upper with an exterior and interior surface, and a bladder which comprises at least one of the exterior or interior surfaces. The bladder comprising sheets of polyurethane attached together via welding. The bladder includes a medial compartment and a lateral compartment attached to each other under the foot of the wearer. The article of footwear also includes a inflation mechanism for selectively introducing air to the chambers. The inflation mechanism is located under the foot of the wearer to be activated by the normal action of the wearer.

Abstract: A shoe having an upper, a sole and an adjustable heel assembly including a first heel member connected to the sole at a rear portion thereof and a second heel member arranged at least partially within the first heel member. The second heel member is movable relative to the first member between a first position in which the first and second heel members provide the heel with a first height and a second position in which the first and second heel members provide the heel with a second height greater than the first height. An improved locking mechanism is provided for releasably locking the heel members to each other.

Abstract: A shoe comprising a sole having a supporting surface for supporting a foot and an upper connected with the sole for locking a foot onto the supporting surface. The sole comprises an elongated torsion stiffener enhancing resistance to torsion about the longitudinal axis of the sole. The torsion stiffener extends in outward direction diagonally across the sole, such that as the sole is made to roll along the longitudinal axis by the foot, the resistance to outward torsion increases. The invention also relates to a sole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sole for an article of footwear and the method of manufacture. The sole includes a mesh layer at least partially embedded in a sole layer. The method for manufacturing the sole includes the steps of providing a mold, inserting a mesh into the mold, and forming a sole layer in the mold, the sole layer having a mesh layer at least partially embedded in the sole layer. The invention also relates to an article of footwear that includes this sole, and the method of manufacture thereof.

Abstract: The boot for gliding sports, particularly for skiing, comprises a rigid shell (2) for partially surrounding a user's foot, a collar (3) articulated on the shell (2), and an inner boot, said shell (2) including an open part that makes it easier to put the boot on and to take it off. The boot also comprises at least one flexible element (6) covering said open part so as to close the boot, and a semirigid element (7, 8) superposed over said flexible element (6), and means (9) for fixing said elements on the rigid shell (2).

Abstract: An insole which extends from the toes to the heel includes at least one fluid-filled container; a control unit for enabling a user to increase or reduce an amount of fluid in the container; and a stirrup-shaped device for immobilizing the talocalcaneonavicular joint and for controlling and/or stabilizing the ankle joint. The insole is a prefabricated insole selectable from a range of differently shaped insoles for the various forms of foot prophylaxis and the various shoe sizes. The insole can also be configured in combination with a athletic sock and can be configured as a partial insole. This enables users to adapt the prefabricated insoles suitable for their shoe size and form of foot prophylaxis to their own personal needs.

Abstract: A lace tightening assembly is applied to a shoe body having eyelet tabs, and includes a mounting seat, a tightening member mounted pivotally in the mounting seat, and a pull cord for operating the tightening member to pivot between a shoe lace tightening position and a shoe lace loosening position.

Abstract: A removable heel cushion is described. The cushion is comprised of a heel pocket and a resilient shock absorber configured for placement within the heel pocket. The assembled removable heel cushion is easily connected to a shoe by placing the heel pocket over the heel section of a shoe, whether the shoe is flat soled or has a heel, and then securing attachments, such as shoe laces or VELCRO™ tipped straps, over the upper section of the shoe. Resilient shock absorbers can vary from coiled springs to vacuum formed hemispheres customized to user preference. Shock absorbers can be frangibly attached to the heel pocket for replacement or additions according to user preferences.

Abstract: An air bladder device includes a casing having a transparent or semi-transparent wall, an air bag received in the casing, and one or more patterns disposed between the wall and the air bag. The air bag is inflatable to move the patterns toward and away from the wall. The patterns are preferably spatial patterns and are deformable, and may be deformed when the patterns are forced against the wall, such that the patterns may be seen through the wall as changing patterns. The casing may include a scale for indicating the inflation of the air bag by the deformed patterns.

Abstract: A boot that includes a sole and an outer upper having an impervious portion, with at least one outer reinforcing element assembled to the upper by cementing at least in the impervious portion thereof. Preferably, the reinforcing element includes a heel reinforcement and lateral tightening flaps.

Abstract: A footwear securement system for closed footwear implements a strap (100) having an X-configuration across the instep of the wearer's foot. The X-configuration instep strap (100) acts to secure the entire circumference of a wearer's foot to the footwear sole. Further, the X-configuration instep strap (100) allows for contraction and expansion of the ankle when the foot's main tendon that travels down the front of the leg and across the instep of the foot is cyclically tightened and loosened during walking or running. The X-strap (100) may optionally travel through a channel (130) located in the sole to allow for further strap adjustment during activity.

Abstract: Waterproof shoe structure with an exterior upper (1), an interior upper containing at least a waterproof, water vapor permeable functional layer (2) and a lining (3), an insole (4), and an outsole (8). The lower end of the exterior upper (1) and the insole (4) are joined by a seam (5), wherein the functional layer (2) at the lower end of the interior upper extends past the lining (3) and possibly additional layers of the interior upper by a lower portion of the functional layer. The extending portion of the functional layer (2) is joined to the lower end of the exterior upper (1) in a waterproof manner, and that the seam (5) joining the lower end of the exterior upper (1) to the insole (4) is located exclusively in the portion (a) of the lower end of the exterior and interior uppers in which the lower portion of the functional layer is joined to the exterior upper (1) in a waterproof manner.

Abstract: A sandal system comprises a sole. The sole has top and bottom surfaces. The bottom surface has a periphery and a heel portion. A foot retaining strap is provided. The strap has ends coupled to the sole. A central extent is provided between the ends. Top and bottom faces are provided. A first hook and loop fastener is provided. The hook and loop fastener has an upper side and a lower side coupled with the top face of the strap. Finally, a decorative ribbon is provided. The ribbon has an upper plane adapted to have decorations and a lower plane having a second hook and loop fastener being adapted to releasably couple with the upper side of the first hook and loop fastener. The first and second hook and loop fasteners are essentially coextensive in size.

Abstract: The ice spike for mountaineering is composed of a front frame and a rear frame joined to one another by a joining strip which comprises two parallel rows of holes spaced at regular intervals. Lengthwise adjustment of the ice spike is performed by the joining strip and a stud designed to be inserted in one of the holes of one of the two rows of the joining strip. The holes of the second row are offset longitudinally with respect to those of the first row, this enabling the length of the spike to be adjusted by one shoe size or by half a shoe size.