Abstract: An article of footwear can include provisions for improving the operation and use of various systems associated with the article. An automated tensioning system can be configured to provide and perform a variety of functions associated with the fastening of the article of footwear. The automated tensioning system may tighten and loosen the article of footwear through the operation of a motor. The automated tensioning system may also be able to store and recall a preset tension level.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an article of footwear that effectively reduces rotation the article of footwear during a golf swing. The article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure, where the sole structure is comprised of a midsole, a first outsole, and a second outsole. The article of footwear includes a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a hindfoot region. The first outsole is coupled to both the midsole and the second outsole, while the second outsole is disposed between the midsole and the first outsole. The second outsole includes a first series of lugs disposed along a lateral edge of the second outsole and extending through the first outsole in the forefoot region, and a second series of lugs disposed along a medial edge of the second outsole and extending through the first outsole in the hindfoot region.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an article of footwear having a sole structure effective to increase traction on a support surface. The article of footwear includes a sole structure comprising a first sole structure and a second sole structure. The article of footwear includes a forefoot region, midfoot region, and hindfoot region. The first sole structure is disposed in the forefoot and hindfoot regions. The second sole structure is disposed in the midfoot region. An extension of the second sole structure that extends through the forefoot region is substantially covered by the first sole structure. A plurality of lugs extend downwardly from the bottom surface of the first sole structure. At least one lug extends downwardly from the extension of the second sole structure through the first sole structure. The first sole structure and the second sole structure have different durometers.

Abstract: Provided is a non-skid shoe capable of absorbing shock including: an outsole; a plurality of accommodation grooves formed on the outsole, the accommodation groove including a groove portion, and a penetrated portion extending from the groove portion and penetrating the outsole; a support member which is accommodated in the respective accommodation grooves, and includes a support portion disposed in the groove portion, a first guide portion formed at a center of the support portion, and a second guide portion extending from the first guide portion and penetrating a bottom surface of the support portion; a movable member which is disposed in the respective support members, and includes a latch portion and a protruding portion; a pressing member engaged to an upper portion of the first guide portion; a resilient member disposed in the first guide portion; and a midsole engaged to the top surface of the outsole.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shoe having a compressible lattice structure in a heel portion to facilitate rapid, easy donning and doffing of shoes. In example embodiments, the lattice structure includes a plurality of interconnected, overlapping, intersecting and/or woven ribs defining a plurality of apertures. The lattice structure has an open position in which the shoe opening is expanded to facilitate reception of a foot of an individual wearing the rapid-entry shoe, and a closed position in which the shoe opening is smaller to retain the foot within the rapid-entry shoe.

Abstract: A plate for an article of footwear having a sole structure includes an anterior-most point disposed in a forefoot region of the sole structure, a posterior-most point disposed closer to a heel region of the sole structure than the anterior-most point, and a concave portion extending between the anterior-most point and the posterior-most point. The concave portion includes a constant radius of curvature from the anterior-most point to a metarsophalangeal (MTP) point of the sole structure. The MTP point opposes the MTP joint of a foot during use.

Abstract: A modular article of footwear comprises a sole structure having a foot-facing surface, a ground-engaging surface, and a peripheral side surface extending between the foot-facing surface and the ground-engaging surface. The peripheral side surface has at least one recess. The modular article of footwear includes an upper component, and a flange secured to the upper component and projecting therefrom. An inner surface of the flange fits against and is securable to the peripheral side surface of the sole structure with the flange in the at least one recess, and the upper component at least partially defining a foot-receiving cavity over the foot-facing surface. A method of manufacturing a customized article of footwear comprises receiving a request for an upper with a specified characteristic, and assembling the modular article of footwear having an upper in accordance with the request.

Abstract: An injected footwear with internal complex graphic is a footwear apparatus that also is an easily manufacturable product. The footwear apparatus includes a sole, an upper, at least one complex graphic, and a sock liner. The sole is below the wearer's foot, while the upper covers the rest of the wearer's foot. The complex graphic integrates an aesthetically pleasing element for the footwear apparatus. The sock liner is used as an intermediate between the wearer's foot and the rest of the footwear apparatus. The complex graphic is internalized in between the sock liner and the upper. The upper and the sole are specifically made of the injectable molding material. A proximal portion of the sock liner is attached to the complex graphic, while the injectable molding material is bonded to a surrounding portion of the sock liner.

Abstract: An article of footwear has a midsole assembly that includes a fluid-filled bladder element having a substantially arc-shaped heel portion and having a lateral arm portion and a medial arm portion spaced from the lateral arm portion. Each of the arm portions extend from the heel portion. The bladder element is configured to be positioned with the heel portion in the heel region of midsole assembly, and the arm portions extending from the heel region to a forefoot region along a peripheral region. A method of manufacturing and a mold assembly for such an article of footwear are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an upper for a shoe, including an inner layer; an outer layer overlapping the inner layer at least partially; wherein the outer layer includes a plurality of cuts; wherein the inner layer includes a plurality of protrusions; wherein each cut at least partially overlaps at least one protrusion; wherein each protrusion causes an extension in width of its corresponding cut when the shoe is worn.

Abstract: An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the same is provided. The article comprises an upper having an inner layer and an outer layer coupled to the inner layer, such that the inner layer and the outer layer define a closed pocket therebetween. An insert is disposed in the closed pocket. The outer layer is formed of an at least partially transparent material, such that the insert is at least partially visible through the outer layer. The method comprises placing the insert in a recess defined by the outer layer of the upper, such that the insert abuts an inner surface of the outer layer and positioning the inner layer on the inner surface of the outer layer over the recess and the insert, such that the inner layer and outer layer form the closed pocket at the recess with the insert disposed within the closed pocket.

Abstract: A dancing shoe is described. The latter has a sole with an inner side and an outer side, which sole extends in a longitudinal direction from a rear end to a front end. The outer side of the sole has a plurality of incisions. Moreover, an upper shoe is provided, which is connected to the sole and has a foot section. To connect the upper shoe to the sole, the foot section of the upper shoe has, on its underside, at least one recess through which elongate connection elements extend which, in the state when the dancing shoe is being worn, are received at least in some regions in incisions of the outer side of the sole.

Abstract: An article of footwear is provided having an elevated plate structure incorporated in the sole structure and optionally including a fluid-filled chamber. The elevated plate structure can include an upper plate and a plurality of legs extending downward toward the outsole. End portions of the legs can engage an upper region of the outsole. The elevated plate structure can form a cage region that can optionally include a fluid-filled chamber substantially disposed therein. The elevated plate structure can further include a lower plate disposed at an upper region of the outsole, which can form a lower portion of the cage region. Portions of the legs can be integrated with impact-attenuating members in the heel region in various configurations and can provide features for the impact-attenuating members, such as support, impact-attenuation and adjustable impact-attenuation features.

Abstract: An easy removal prevention footwear apparatus includes a footwear, a medial opening, a lateral opening, a first elastic band, a second elastic band, and a fastener. The footwear delineates a general configuration of a shoe. A first proximal end of the first elastic band is internally connected to the footwear. A second proximal end of the second elastic band is internally connected to the footwear, opposite of the first proximal end. The medial opening and the lateral opening traverse into a counter section of the footwear. A first distal end of the first elastic band slidably traverses through the lateral opening. A second distal end of the second elastic band slidably traverses through the medial opening. The first distal end and the second distal end are tensionably attached to each other by the fastener thus configuring two different securing loops between the footwear and the user's foot.

Abstract: Footwear with vertically lapped nonwoven layers in upper and sole structures for enhanced breathability and moisture wicking is disclosed. Exemplary vertically lapped nonwoven dual layers comprise one or more hydrophobic layers and one or more hydrophilic layers that are adhered to each other by a plurality of methods and are further integrated into the inside of the upper and sole of the footwear so that the hydrophilic layer is in direct contact with the feet. The hydrophilic part of the dual layer wicks sweat or bodily fluid from the wearer into the nonwoven and transports the moisture to the hydrophobic layer for fast evaporation, thus keeping the feet dry. The nonwoven footwear is environmentally friendly as the nonwoven layers can be made of recycled materials and may be fully recyclable.

Abstract: A protective device, in particular a safety toe cap, for use with an article of footwear is provided. A safety toe cap of the present technology includes one or more strain hardened portions configured to strengthen or reinforce sections of the safety toe cap against impact, particularly from above. The one or more strain hardened portions have increased strength in relation to adjacent non-strain hardened portions and therefore may maintain adequate protection of a user's toes and foot, while simultaneously allowing for lowered material use and a device with a lightweight, streamlined profile.

Abstract: A shock absorption shoe, having a sole and at least one shock absorption module each having an outer shell, an inner core, an air cushion cylinder and a bottom cover, and each being connected to an air tube. The inner core is sleeved into a cavity of the outer shell from the top. A position limiting structure is provided between the inner core and the cavity. The air cushion cylinder is sleeved within the cavity. The bottom cover covers the bottom of the cavity. The shoe has a bottom layer, a middle layer and a top layer; the middle layer contains at least one mounting hole for mounting the at least one shock absorption module. The air tube is in an air tube groove on the middle layer, and one end of which is connected to the air cushion cylinder while another end is connected with a nozzle.

Abstract: An insole and/or outsole for a shoe such as an athletic shoe or cleat that includes a multilayer channeled assembly designed at preventing the transfer of heat from extremely hot ground surfaces, most notably synthetic turf, to the foot. In one embodiment, the insole includes a channeled layer of solid material with a very low thermal conductivity, preferably silicon or cork, as the base material beneath a layer of heat resistant felt preferably made of oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers. The channeling in the base layer allows for air pockets to be created within the insole itself that makes the heat resistant felt more resistant to (i.e., more efficient at preventing) the transfer of heat. In another embodiment, the outsole for a shoe such as an athletic shoe or cleat includes a base layer of channeled solid material with low thermal conductivity, preferably silicon, cork, or polystyrene, below a layer of heat resistant felt preferably made of oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers.

Abstract: An article of footwear having an upper portion and a footbed portion that may be aligned with apertures proximate specified edges or locations. The footbed portion includes a concave edge extending between the footbed toe end and the footbed heel end along the footbed medial side and a plurality of forming apertures along the medial side. The upper portion also includes a plurality of forming apertures extending along the medial side.

Abstract: A lower body equestrian riding boot system for holding a riding spur includes a boot having one or more pockets located on an outer surface of a side and near one end of the boot, the pocket is configured to retain a free end of a riding spur yoke. A backstrap located on an outer surface of a back side and near the bottom of the boot has one end that is releasably attached to the boot and includes an aperture through which a neck of a riding spur projects. A concealed curved zipper extending beyond the front of a pocket. The pocket, the backstrap and the zipper cooperate to secure the riding spur to the boot, so that the spur can be easily attached, adjusted and/or removed from the boot, and so the boot can be removed from the foot with the spur still attached.