Abstract: An article of footwear has a sole including a toe portion and a heel portion, a toe bumper disposed on the toe portion, the toe bumper being configured to contact a ball, and a heel bumper disposed on the heel portion, the heel bumper being configured to contact the ball, wherein at least one of the toe bumper and the heel bumper has an asymmetric shape.

Abstract: A traction element arrangement for a sole structure of an article of footwear is described. Traction elements of a first group are associated with a lateral side of the sole structure. Traction elements of a second group are associated with a medial side of the sole structure. Traction elements of the second group include medial rotational traction elements that have a plurality of stud elements arranged in a circular grouping. Stud elements may be aligned laterally across the sole structure with traction elements of the first group. Stud elements may be aligned longitudinally across the sole structure to be arranged in different configurations along an outside medial side or an inside medial side.

Abstract: A foot balancing device includes a shoe insert, a main balancing element, three auxiliary force-transferring elements, and three auxiliary balancing elements. The main balancing element is provided in an arch region of the shoe insert and serves as a fulcrum on the shoe insert for the front part of the sole of one of the user's feet and the heel of the foot. The auxiliary force-transferring elements are provided in the arch region of the shoe insert so that the pressure center of the sole will displace along an ideal line. The auxiliary balancing elements are located forward of and on two lateral sides of the main balancing element respectively to support a transverse arch, inner arch, and outer arch of the foot respectively. Thus, the user's body weight can distribute evenly over the sole while the user is standing or walking, thereby preventing injury resulting from improper posture.

Abstract: Articles of footwear or other foot-receiving devices include an upper/foot-covering member having medial and lateral strap tensioning components located on opposite sides of the ankle area. A securing system is provided that includes: (i) a first strap portion extending across the instep area, engaging the lateral strap tensioning component, and extending in front of the foot-insertion opening to the medial ankle side (where it may be secured), and (ii) a second strap portion extending across the instep area, engaging the medial strap tensioning component, and extending in front of the foot-insertion opening and to the lateral ankle side (where it may be secured). The first and second strap portions cross one another at two separated crossing locations.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an auxetic sole structure that includes a plurality of apertures. The apertures may include ten sides in an initial configuration, and the number of sides may increase in a second configuration when a force is applied. Adjoining members of the sole structure are hingedly connected, so that they can rotate with respect to each other in the plane of the sole structure. The rotation allows the auxetic sole structure to expand when tension is applied.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes a cinching apparatus that is configured to move the upper between an open position and a closed position. The cinching apparatus includes a spring pad with a first, second, and third portion. The third portion is elastic and configured to deform elastically from a first position toward a second position. The third portion is configured to move the first portion relative to the second portion generally in the longitudinal direction as the third portion deforms between the first position and the second position. Also, the cinching apparatus is configured to move the upper from the open position toward the closed position as the third portion of the spring pad moves from the first position toward the second position.

Abstract: A footwear cover system and method to prevent unwanted matter from entering a shoe of a wearer. The footwear cover system includes the shoe having a relatively soft and flexible upper portion for surrounding at least part of the wearer's foot and a sole attached to the upper portion of the shoe. The relatively soft and flexible upper portion has a toe-receiving forepart section, a mid-foot receiving section, and a heel-receiving rear part section. A housing surrounds the shoe and fastens to the shoe at an intersection of the sole and the flexible upper portion. A waterproof rain cover is stored within the housing and adapted to being extended from the housing to enclose the flexible upper portion. A structure is used to secure the waterproof rain cover in place after it has enclosed the flexible upper portion of the shoe.

Abstract: Vibration reduction mechanism for a sewing machine. In one example embodiment, a vibration reduction mechanism for a sewing machine includes a rotational counterweight and a reciprocating counterweight. The rotational counterweight is configured to be coupled to a driveshaft of a sewing machine and is configured to be rotated by rotation of the driveshaft. The reciprocating counterweight is coupled to the rotational counterweight. A first portion of the reciprocating counterweight is configured to be rotated by the rotation of the rotational counterweight. A second portion of the reciprocating counterweight is configured to be substantially reciprocated along a length of a structure by the rotation of the rotational counterweight.