Abstract: A shoe has a preformed lower portion which is molded preferably from plastic material, and which has on its top surface, around the upper peripheral edge and slightly inward thereof, a plurality of downwardly directed slots for receiving a selected upper of the shoe. The selected type of upper is suitably sized in advance and has at the edge of the depending sides thereof a plurality of substantially V-shaped extended sections providing a serrated edge for insertion into the slots in the top surface of the lower portion of the shoe. The upper is retained in the lower portion of the shoe by staples or nails inserted into the lateral edge thereof through the extended sections. The slots are preferably V-shaped and the lateral edge preferably extends above the top surface so as to cover the top of the sections of the upper.

Abstract: A flexible sole that can be attached by a skater to his roller skates to immobilize the wheels and provide a sole surface for relatively normal walking. The sole includes an elongated sheet with releasable mounting members at opposite ends. The mounting members may be attached to the skate in such a manner that the sheet is drawn tautly over the wheels. The wheels are engaged by an upper surface of the sheet while a bottom surface functions as a relatively stationary walking surface.

Abstract: An athletic shoe (10) having an upper (12) and a sole (14) is disclosed. The sole (14) includes an intermediate sole layer (16) of a resilient cushioning material. A bead (46) is disposed about the perimeter of the shoe in the heel spring section to enhance the heel stability.

Abstract: A one-piece light metal alloy snowshoe is coupled to a boot attached to a crampon/binding assembly via a fixed pivot assembly. A quick lock-release device of the crampon/binding assembly may be adjusted to accommodate any size boot. Thereafter, the simple moving of a locking-release lever will firmly attach and release the boot to the crampon assembly and the snowshoe.

Abstract: A ski boot is constructed with a relatively rigid bottom foot enclosure adapted to couple with a bottom traction component comprised of heel and sole portions. Traction components with traction surfaces of varying characteristics, dependent upon their intended use, may be interchangeably installed on the boot through snap lock elements integral with the foot enclosure and traction components.

Abstract: A shoe upper easily connected by a connecting device to a lower member or mid sole having a lattice structure. The shoe also includes additional connecting devices to releasably connect the heel to the mid sole and upper. The outer sole is connected to the mid sole by glue or double-sided tape. The mid sole is made from a synthetic material which allows breathing through the apertures in the lattice structure. Also, the outer sole and heel are removeably attached to the mid sole and upper to provide a shoe that may be resoled and reheeled inexpensively using ordinary tools.

Abstract: A forward lean adjuster for ski boots includes a stand adapted to be secured to a ski boot lower and a slide plate adapted to be secured to the boot upper. Operating mechanism coupling the stand to the slide plate includes an adjuster body pivotally mounted on the stand and having an operating knob, an adjuster screw in the body to which the knob is secured, and a trunnion on the screw. A cover acting as a lever is pivoted at one end on the trunnion and at its other end on the stand, and the three pivots are positioned to provide over-center operation. With the adjustment body in its open or off position, the stand and slide plate are relatively movable and the ski boot is free hinging. Rotation of the knob and screw moves the trunnion. The forward lean angle of the boot is then altered when the adjustment body is moved through its over-center position to its closed or on position, securing the boot upper and lower against movement.

Abstract: Two de-fleshing stations are interconnected by a transfer bridge. The first de-fleshing station feeds through its outlet chute, the rear end of the transfer bridge, while the second de-fleshing station feeds through its outlet chute, the rear end of the carry-away conveyor. The transfer bridge is provided with a pair of aligned endless conveyors which are selectively operable so that the hides can be selectively delivered from the first station to the second station, the carry-out conveyor or to an operator for manual handling.

Abstract: A pair of collapsibly foldable snowshoes for walking upon deep or shallow snow; each shoe including a tubular frame consisting of interfitted sections that snapfit rigidly together for use, a flexible endless cord passed through all the sections for holding them together in tension, a web inside the frame consisting of separate fillers at front, center and near sections, and cleats on an underside of the fillers for traction against slipping on a snow; the frame supporting shoe bungees.

Abstract: A new and improved shoe structure is disclosed which may be rapidly assembled to define a sturdy secure construction. The subject shoe structure includes an elongated base member having a top surface circumscribed by an upstanding ridge to define a hollowed-out recess. A plurality of locking pins are formed integrally with the ridge and project perpendicularly outwardly therefrom towards the interior of the recess. An elongated strap having a plurality of pin receiving apertures located at the opposed ends thereof is mounted to the base member with the pins of the latter being received in the apertures of the strap. An insole having a configuration substantially conforming to the hollowed-out recess is provided and is mounted within the recess, with the lower surface thereof being bonded to the top surface of the base member. By this arrangement, the locking pins and the opposed ends of the strap are interposed between the base member and the strap to provide a sturdy integral shoe structure.

Abstract: A harness for a snowshoe having toe chord is shown as having an elongated binding extending generally tranversely of said snowshoe and being secured generally medially of opposite first and second ends to said toe chord as to have said first and second ends movable with respect to said snowshoe, first and second toe straps respectively secured to said first and second ends of said binding, a first strap fastener carried by said first strap, third and fourth heel strap respectively secured to the first and second ends of said binding, a second strap fastener carried by said third heel strap, the first and second toe strap being operative for drawing the first and second ends of the binding against opposite sides of a boot worn by a person walking on the snowshoe and the first fastener being effective to maintain the first and second ends tightly against the boot regardless of the size or configuration of the boot, the third and fourth heel straps being operative for drawing and holding the toe portion of the b

Abstract: The attachment straps for snowshoes usually require a buckle type strap or tied construction which is difficult to retain over the toe of the boot or shoe during use. Tabs sewn to the side of moccasins are used to retain the straps but these are not usable with other types of footwear such as boots and the like. In one embodiment of the invention, the sole is widened out at the area of strap engagement and provided with vertically situated closed ended slots through which the straps engage thus holding the footwear in the desired position relative to the snowshoe. The preferred embodiment utilizes similar slots but opening out onto the periphery of the enlarged sole portion so that the strap can be engaged and disengaged without buckling. This also permits a closed elasticized strap to be used as it can be engaged and disengaged and snapped into position over the instep or vamp area of the boot or shoe.

Abstract: An improved athletic shoe is disclosed which is particularly suited for use in the game of baseball. The athletic shoe comprises a sole having an upper secured to it and extending upwardly from its upper side. A first set of cleats extends downwardly from the sole and comprises at least three thin and arcuate cleats. Moreover, this first set of cleats is secured to the ball portion of the sole and positioned in a ring so that each cleat has substantially the same radius and center as each other. A second set of thin and arcuate cleats is also secured to the ball portion of the sole in a ring concentric with the first set of cleats but on a smaller radius than the first set of cleats. The first and second set of cleats provide improved pivoting for the athletic shoe.

Abstract: The process to manufacture sandals bases on the use of a mold made up by two parts: the first, the lower, containing the upside-down print of that part of the sole which has to be contacted by the foot; the second, that is the cover, containing the upside-down print of that part of the sole which will touch the soil. The upper of the shoe, made up by two straps, have to be inserted, separately, before the molding, in the flutings located on the edges of the lower part of the mold, while the surface which is to form the external part of the upper itself faces upward. At their ends inserted in the mold, these straps are equipped with holes which, during the molding fill with the mix such as polyurethan, or poly vinyl chloride used for the manufacturing of the soles and after its solidification, give a high tear-resistent linkage between each strap itself and the sole.

Abstract: A device for stiffening portions of sheets of flexible material including a reciprocable and rotatable nozzle disposed upon an extruder, the nozzle having a generally V-shaped nose section and a pair of wings disposed therebehind.

Abstract: An improved light weight crampon for ready attachment to shoes and boots as an ice creeper or the like having rugged construction and versatility of adjustment.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the limb protector is a protective gaiter which extends from the wearer's instep to just below his knee. A portion of the gaiter forms a completely closed pocket which contains an energy absorbing pad. The pocket and the pad are both configured so that the pad fits over and protects the wearer's shinbones, as well as covering many of the major bones and muscles of the wearer's leg. In another embodiment, the limb protector is an arm guard which extends from the wearer's elbow to his wrist. The arm guard includes a tapered sleeve-like element which is sufficiently elastic that it bears tightly about the arm of a user. A pocket is provided in the sleeve-like element to receive a protective pad. Elastic means are provided at both ends of the sleeve-like element to assist in preventing circumferential and longitudinal movement of the protector, even with violent movement of the user's arm.

Abstract: Shoes having an upper formed with a plurality of dimples with an air hole therein are proposed. Hot dieing to form dimples hardens the leather at the dimples, increasing the durability of the shoes. Thus, the shoes are highly durable even though they are provided with air holes in the upper.

Abstract: A method of making an article of footwear includes attaching a connecting strip to the peripheral lower edge portion of a pre-formed upper so that the connecting strip surrounds the upper. The connecting strip has a profiled section providing a projecting extension, and a pre-formed ring-like welt member having an inner surface shaped for snapping engagement with the projecting extension of the connecting strip, is snapped into engagement with the connecting strip. A pre-formed sole and heel unit is then attached to the welt member by causing the upper peripheral surface of the sole and heel unit to adhere to the lower surface of the welt member. Alternatively, the pre-formed welt member may be omitted, and the pre-formed sole and heel unit snapped directly onto the connecting strip. In a further alternative arrangement, two separate connecting strips are used on opposite ends of the article of footwear.

Abstract: A boot or shoe comprises a preformed portion and a portion which is molded in one piece on to the pre-formed portion and which includes the sole unit and those parts of the upper not constituted by the pre-formed portion. The pre-formed portion comprises side panels extending along each side of the shoe and a sock for underlying the foot, which sock interconnects the side panels and the side panels and sock may be made in one piece or in separate pieces which are fastened together, as by sewing, before the molded portion is molded on to the pre-formed portion. The molded portion is made from a plastics material, e.g. polyurethane, and the material does not overlap the inner face of the pre-formed portion but overlaps at least some of the marginal regions of the two side panels. The sock lies in the top surface of the sole unit. The two side panels may together extend also round the heel region of the upper and the plastics material may cover the outer face of the panels in the heel region.