Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure with an auxetic structure and a filler. The auxetic structure includes an aperture. The filler is received in the aperture. The auxetic structure is configured to deform auxetically. The sole structure is configured to deform between a neutral position and a deformed position. The aperture is configured to deform as the sole structure deforms between the neutral and deformed positions. The auxetic structure includes a first material and the filler includes a second material. The second material is softer than the first material.

Abstract: A sole of a shoe includes: a rear portion; and a forward portion connected with the rear portion, the forward portion being thinner than the rear portion, the forward portion comprising a plurality of ribs that are patterned and contoured to provide different height, rigidity and flexibility characteristics at different areas of the forward portion.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear can include provisions for providing auxetic behavior in the sole structure. The sole structure can comprise multiple layers that may each have different types of auxetic material. The outsole can include at least one auxetic portion joined to one non-auxetic portion. Similarly, the midsole can include at least one auxetic portion joined to one non-auxetic portion. Apertures formed in the auxetic portions of the outsole can extend through at least part of the midsole.

Abstract: A customizable insole has a base layer, a foot engaging top layer and a resiliently deformable layer therebetween. The top layer and the resiliently deformable layer are matrix cut into a plurality of adjacent plugs, wherein the plugs are removably fixedly bound to a base layer or a substrate. To customize an insole one or more plugs are removed in a spot to relieve pressure or reduce pain.

Abstract: An overshoe used while finishing concrete and worn over another article of footwear. The overshoe includes a flexible and resilient sole and a substantially flat and smooth outsole, which is substantially resistant to adhering to wet concrete and abrasion resistant. The overshoe further includes a strap, which securely holds the overshoe onto a work boot.

Abstract: The present invention provides for multiple portions of a shoe structure and the method of making these portions wherein one or more of the portions comprise two or more flat perimeter edges. The present invention further provides faceted lasts for making faceted shoe portions. An exemplary embodiment (FIG. 9) of a shoe having a faceted outsole, rand, and shoe upper of the present invention features five separate straight-line facets (30-34) and six angled corners (40-45). Alternative degrees of the angle formed by the intersection of the various straight-line facets, and the number of the various straight-line facets, can be varied for different types of foot structures. For example, the angle degrees and number of outsole facets may vary as between shoes for adult males and for women and children's feet. Facet (30) and facet (32) contact exemplary edge formations (4a, 4b) respectively with outsole contact areas (7a-1, 7b-1).

Abstract: Anti-microbial and/or anti-fungal footwear components formed from various thermoplastic polymers and additives in fibers in a mono-component form or a bi-component form in either a core-sheath or side-by-side configurations. The anti-microbial synthetic fibers include inorganic anti-microbial additives, distributed in certain areas to reduce the amount of the anti-microbial agents being used, and therefore the cost of such fibers. In certain embodiments, high tenacity polymers (e.g. PET) are employed in one portion and hydrolysis resistance polymers (e.g. PCT) in another portion with the additives. The fibers can further be blended with non-anti-microbial fibers such as cotton, wool, polyester, acrylic, nylon etc. to provide anti-microbial finished fabrics. In one embodiment, binder fibers are used which are mixed with other fibers.

Abstract: An orthopedic restraint apparatus having lower leg brace members, a contoured foot support, an adjustable ankle joint articulation system, and a hingedly mounted toe member. The ankle joint articulation system is easily adjustable to a multiplicity of discrete flexion angles by the appropriate placement of limit pins in the ankle joint. The limit pins are removable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the leg brace members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retarding electrochemical type decomposition of electrical insulation by flushing moisture from the insulation of installed power cables with a fluid having a low moisture content. The insulation of the power cables is dried and maintained dry by a continuous flow of dry fluid through the conductor and insulation while the cable is energized. An apparatus is disclosed which provides for the fluid to enter and exit from the cable. The disclosed method provides an effective retardation of the growth of electrochemical trees in the insulation structure and thereby significantly extends the useful life of the cable system.

Abstract: A sports shoe has an extension to the sole of the shoe projecting rearwardly at the heel end, which extension is springily resilient or can be supported by resilient means on the shoe. A stiffener, for example, a metal plate can be provided to enable the resilience of the extension to be controlled. Also a separate interchangeable spring member can be provided to control the resilience of the projection.

Abstract: A pair of running shoes. Each shoe includes an upper portion having an inner side and an outer side and a sole running the length of the shoe from the heel to the toe between the inner and outer sides of the upper portion. The sole is formed of a resilient material and comprises a wedge portion extending from the heel to a point beyond the arch of the wearer's foot and immediately to the rear of the first metatarsal head of the foot. The wedge portion is canted upward in the transverse direction from the outer side of the shoe to the inner side of the shoe so that during running a substantial portion of the sole makes contact with the ground during each step. The sole is constructed to be thicker at portions adjacent to heel than at portions adjacent to toe and is formed of an outsole, a midsole and an intermediate bevelled section disposed therebetween at the heel. The transverse wedge portion of the sole is formed by the midsole.

Abstract: A shoe for ladies in which the outsole and heel are uniquely associated so that a portion of the outsole forms the complete bottom construction or bottom covering or sole for the heel and the heel seat provides a continuous surface engaging the insole in the shank area. The heel is generally triangular in configuration and the surface defining the heel seat is received in a slot formed in the outsole by the portion of the outsole which defines the bottom construction for the heel.

Abstract: An article of footwear including a platform, an upper vamp, a bottom sole and an insole. The platform includes first and second uniformly thick layers of foam rubber having a given density extending throughout the toe and heel portions of the platform, and a third layer of foam rubber having a greater density positioned between the first and second layers in the heel portion of the platform and terminating in a wedge pointing away from the heel portion for providing a platform in which the bottom surface of the platform is relatively flat and the top surface of the platform is raised in the heel portion. The upper vamp includes a thong attached to the toe portion of the platform, and side straps attached to the thong and to opposite sides of the heel portion of the platform. The side straps flare out in width from the thong to a width of at least 11/2 inches where the side straps are attached to the heel portion. The bottom sole consists of crepe rubber and extends over the bottom surface of the platform.