Abstract: A method for forming a plate includes attaching a first strand portion to a flexible substrate to form a first layer on the substrate and positioning a second strand portion on the first layer to form a second layer on the first layer in a plurality of discrete regions on the substrate. The method also includes positioning a plurality of traction elements into corresponding cavities formed into a first mold surface and positioning the substrate on the first mold surface to change a shape of the substrate. At least one of heat and pressure is applied to the first strand portion, the second strand portion, the substrate, and the traction elements to conform the substrate to the shape of the first mold surface and form the traction elements into the substrate at each of the discrete regions. The method also includes incorporating the substrate into an article of footwear.

Abstract: An interchangeable heel for a shoe wherein the interchangeable heel includes a removable heel sleeve and a heel post which is mounted on the shoe wherein the heel sleeve is releasably mounted on the heel post by an opposed lock mechanism which includes a catch mechanism on one side of the interchangeable heel and a biasing mechanism on an opposite side of the interchangeable heel wherein the biasing mechanism includes a biasing member which is provided on the heel post wherein the biasing member is arranged to engage the removable heel sleeve; a shoe having the interchangeable heel; and a removable heel sleeve for use in the interchangeable heel according to the invention.

Abstract: An outsole for an article of footwear includes a main body having a plurality of modules arranged in series from a first end to a second end, adjacent ones of the modules detachably connected to each other along one of a plurality of seams extending from a first side of the main body to a second side of the main body. The outsole further including at least one insert embedded in each of the modules and configured for selectively attaching a traction element to the outsole.

Abstract: A shoe tree deodorizer is an apparatus that enables users to deodorize and refreshen footwear and also helps to retain the footwear's shape. The apparatus may include a toe shaper, a heel shaper, a bridging support, a deodorant housing, a ventilation mechanism, and a quantity of deodorant. The toe shaper and the heel shaper retain the shape of the footwear by filling the space within the heel and the toe sections of the footwear, respectively. The bridging support enables the adjustment of apparatus to fit inside the footwear and provides the structural support for the toe shaper and the heel shaper to retain the shape of the footwear. The deodorant housing contains the quantity of deodorant to be released for deodorizing and refreshing the footwear. Furthermore, the ventilation mechanism enables the dispersal of the quantity of deodorant throughout the footwear or towards a specific area of the footwear.

Abstract: A self-cleaning sport shoe includes a traction member or plurality thereof, extending downward from the bottom of the shoe to traction the playing field surface below upon contact. The self-cleaning sport shoe incorporates a compressible cleaning structure, smaller in size and less cumbersome than existing cleaning type cushions and which is symbiotically mated, when applicable, to a concave reservoir located in the sport shoe outer sole, and in certain instances of design both the outer sole and accommodatingly shaped mid sole as well. As the structure is compressed and expanded, debris that might otherwise remain attached is discarded. This concave reservoir appreciably enhances the cleaning ability of its compressible cleaning structure and the shoe as a whole.

Abstract: A shoe having one or more detachable and/or interchangeable outsoles is provided herein. The shoe may include a sole, a rear outsole (e.g., a stiletto, a wedge, etc.), and a forward outsole (e.g., a platform, etc.). The sole may be generally configured to support a wearer's foot, with the rear outsole being detachably coupled to a rear portion of the sole and the forward outsole being detachably coupled to a forward portion of the sole. By having two detachable outsoles (e.g., a detachable rear outsole and a detachable forward outsole), the shape, style, and design of the shoe can be varied/changed.

Abstract: At least one of the pair of shoes has a back portion of the shoe, cut from the collar of the back portion (the top of a shoe above the shoe-heel [the heel of the shoe]), and runs down the back of the shoe. The cut forms a slit running down the back portion of the shoe, forming a right-back portion and a left-back portion of the shoe. The right-side edge of the right-back portion and the left-side edge of the left-back portion are separable from the foot being inserted into the shoe. The right-side edge and the left-side edge return back to their positions when the foot is taken off or when the foot is fully inserted, not overlapping each other when the slit is not separated.

Abstract: A crampon includes a crampon base for fitting to an underside of an item of footwear, such as a shoe or a boot. A harness extends from the crampon base and may be attached to the crampon base using rivets. The harness and the crampon base define a space for receiving the item of footwear. The crampon base comprises at least one cleat assembly with a cleat base embedded within the crampon base. One or more spikes extend from the cleat base.

Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear includes a first material defining a void operable to selectively receive a foot. The first material includes an outer surface. The upper also includes a first edge at least partially circumscribing the void at an uppermost extremity of the upper and a second edge disposed at a lowermost extremity of the upper. The upper further includes a first biasing member (i) disposed at the outer surface of the upper, (ii) attached to the first material, and (iii) spaced apart from the first edge and the second edge. The first biasing member is operable to exert a biasing force on the first material to bias the first edge away from the second edge.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a midsole having an upper surface and a ground-facing surface and a ground engaging sole component affixed to the ground-facing surface of the midsole. The ground engaging sole component includes a substrate layer, a support layer, and a plurality of cleats, each cleat coupled to the support layer and held apart from the midsole by a distance that is greater than 0.0 mm.

Abstract: Comfortable, protective, durable, and lightweight footwear with minimal component parts. Both the footwear and the method of constructing the same is streamlined.

Abstract: The hand truck foot hook may comprise a retaining strap and a hook. The hand truck foot hook may be adapted to pull the bottom of a hand truck out from under a load using a foot of a user. The retaining strap may detachably couple to a shoe worn on the foot of the user. The hook may be coupled to the retaining strap such that the hook is accessible on the top of the foot. The hook may removably engage the bottom of the hand truck such that the bottom of the hand truck is pulled back when the shoe is pulled back. As a non-limiting example, the hook may engage an axle of the hand truck.

Abstract: A shoe includes a shoe upper that holds a wearer's foot when worn. A shoe sole is connected to the shoe upper and has a collapsible section including a body that at least partially defines a pocket in the collapsible section. An insert is installed in the pocket. The insert has a vertical thickness that expands the collapsible section and increases the vertical thickness of the shoe sole compared to when no insert is installed in the pocket. The shoe may be used for limb length correction.

Abstract: Sole structures (e.g., midsoles and/or outsoles) and articles of footwear include heel-supporting areas and/or forefoot-supporting areas that include a central area (e.g., a central recessed area) and a plurality of surrounding rings. Additionally or alternatively, the sole structures (e.g., midsoles and/or outsoles) may include bands of material defined by recessed grooves to provide a bumpstop type impact-force attenuating structure.

Abstract: A last extension for a shoe last provides a pattern defining an origin location. The origin location on the last extension can be used to identify locations or points on a last or a shoe component on a last for control of location-critical manufacturing operations, including decorative and functional operations.

Abstract: A flexible shoe includes an under sole, a foot bed, a first over-foot portion, and a second over-foot portion. The under sole is formed of ballistic nylon. The foot bed is arranged on an upper surface of the under sole. The first over-foot portion is attached to the under sole and is configured to flexibly overly an instep of a foot of a user forward of an ankle of the user. The second over-foot portion is configured to flexibly wrap around a heel of the user rearward of the ankle of the user. The under sole, the first over-foot portion, and the second over-foot portion define a cavity configured to enclose the foot of the user. The foot bed is positioned entirely within the cavity.

Abstract: A last matching a user's foot can be provided through a simple configuration. A last for forming a footwear upper configuring an article of footwear comprises: a common portion invariable in shape and position, a movable portion invariable in shape and positionally variable with respect to the common portion, and a position adjustment mechanism that changes a position of the movable portion with respect to the common portion and fixes the movable portion in a predetermined position.

Abstract: A sole structure may include chambers and a transfer channel containing an electrorheological fluid. Electrodes may be positioned to create, in response to a voltage across the electrodes, an electrical field in at least a portion of the electrorheological fluid in the transfer channel. The sole structure may further include a controller including a processor and memory. At least one of the processor and memory may store instructions executable by the processor to perform operations that include maintaining the voltage across the electrodes at one or more flow-inhibiting levels at which flow of the electrorheological fluid the through the transfer channel is blocked, and that further include maintaining the voltage across the electrodes at one or more flow-enabling levels permitting flow of the electrorheological fluid through the transfer channel.

Abstract: An article includes a receptacle defining an interior void and an adjustment element attached to the receptacle. The adjustment element includes bladder defining one or more chambers each having a compressible component disposed therein. The adjustment element is operable between a contracted configuration providing the receptacle with a first size and an expanded configuration providing the receptacle with a second size different than the first size by adjusting a pressure within the one or more chambers.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus related to an automated footwear platform including an actuator assembly for controlling a footwear lacing apparatus are discussed. In an example, an Lacing architectures for automated footwear assemblies are discussed. In an example, a footwear assembly can include a floating tongue within an upper assembly. The lacing architecture can include a first plurality or lace guides forming a first lacing zone and a second plurality of lace guides forming a second lacing zone. The lacing architecture can also include a tongue lace guide assembly secure to a proximal portion of the floating tongue.