Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure having a chassis and a bladder. The chassis includes a cavity and a plurality of pillars extending into the cavity. The bladder is disposed within the cavity and includes one or more chambers. Each of one or more chambers is supported by at least one of the pillars. The chassis may include a first plurality of the pillars extending from a first side of the cavity and a second plurality of the pillars extending towards the first plurality of the pillars from a second side of the cavity, whereby the bladder is supported between the first plurality of the pillars and the second plurality of the pillars. The one or more chambers of the bladder includes an interior chamber and a peripheral chamber at least partially surrounding the interior chamber and the peripheral chamber has a different pressure than the interior chamber.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprises a sole structure and a footwear upper secured to the sole structure and defining an ankle opening. A device comprises a control bar having a center segment secured to a rear portion of the footwear upper rearward of the ankle opening, a medial side arm extending downwardly and forwardly from the center segment at a medial side of the footwear upper and fixed to the sole structure, and a lateral side arm extending downwardly and forwardly from the center segment at a lateral side of the footwear upper and fixed to the sole structure. The control bar depresses downward under an applied force to a loaded position as the side arms resiliently bend, storing potential energy that returns the control bar to an unloaded position upon removal of the applied force, the rear portion of the footwear upper moving with the control bar.

Abstract: A shoe comprising an upper forming an interior portion for a foot, the interior portion including toe and heel cavities, is provided. The shoe further comprises a midsole having toe and heel ends and inner and outer sides. The midsole is stitched to the upper thereby forming a bottom to the interior portion. Heel and toe outsole patches are respectively stitched onto the midsole. An insole is affixed to the bottom of the interior portion. A spacing between the heel and toe outsole patches extends from the inner to the outer side and occupies a position intermediate the toe and heel ends thereby permitting the shoe to fold about an axis running through the spacing. The shoe folds between an extended state, in which the shoe is worn, and a folded state in which a portion of the upper comprising the toe cavity is tucked into the heel cavity.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include a sole structure and an upper. The upper may include a first section and a second section and may define a foot-receiving cavity over the sole structure. The first section may be fixed to the sole structure, and the second section may articulate relative to the first section between an access position and a use position, the foot-receiving cavity being more exposed when the second section is in the access position. A magnetic coupling includes a first coupling member that may be operatively secured to the second section of the upper and a second coupling member may be operatively secured to the sole structure and positioned so that the first coupling member couples with the second coupling member by magnetic force when the second section is in the access position.

Abstract: A footwear system for controlling longitudinal sliding of a shoe over the hindfoot of a wearer during ambulation that includes an insole with a tether, a compression sock, and hook and loop tape for attaching the heel end of the insole to a heel flap portion of the compression sock.

Abstract: A heel insert is provided for an article of footwear that includes an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity having an ankle opening. The heel insert includes a base. The heel insert includes a spine extending outward from the base to a tip of the spine such that the spine extends upward along a posterior wall of a heel region of the upper toward the ankle opening when the base is operatively connected to the heel region. The tip of the spine is moveable relative to the base between a first position and a second position along a longitudinal axis of the article of footwear. The heel insert includes a spring operatively connected to the spine such that the spring biases the tip of the spine toward the first position of the tip. The tip of the spine is resiliently deflectable toward the second position against the bias of the spring.

Abstract: A midsole includes an upper layer and a lower layer made of a foamed material; the upper layer is a low-hardness foamed material; the lower layer is a high-hardness foamed material; the low-hardness foamed material of the upper layer is a low-hardness, high-resilience material that has a higher specific gravity than the high-hardness foamed material, that has a low hardness that is lower than the hardness of the high-hardness foamed material, and that has a higher speed at which to recover to an original shape after being deformed than that of the high-hardness foamed material.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure that has a front midsole component and a rear midsole component. A connecting member connects the front midsole component to the rear midsole component. The connecting member defines a groove at a lower side of the sole structure between the front midsole component and the rear midsole component. The front midsole component and the rear midsole component are pivotable relative to one another at the groove between a use position and an access position. Confronting surfaces of the connecting member at the groove are closer to one another in the access position than in the use position so that the groove is relatively open in the use position, and the groove is relatively closed in the access position.

Abstract: The invention relates to articles of footwear having traction elements, and systems and methods for manufacturing same. An example shoe includes an upper and a sole plate, the sole plate including a lower surface adapted for ground contact having a first sole portion including first traction elements, the first traction elements having a distal end and a side wall with extensions extending from a central core, and a second sole portion including second traction elements, the second traction elements having at least one geometrical feature differing in one or more aspects from a corresponding geometrical feature of the first traction elements.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper. The upper may include a first and a second section and partially define a foot-receiving cavity over the sole structure. The first section may be fixed to the sole structure and the second section may articulate between an access position and a use position. The foot-receiving cavity may be more exposed in the access position to allow easier foot entry. A strap may extend from one of the first and the second section. A looped handle may extend from the strap and may at least partially form a loop. The strap may extend across the second section of the upper when the second section is in the use position. The strap may have a distal portion configured to releasably secure to one of the first section or the second section with the looped handle exposed.

Abstract: A locking and unlocking device includes an actuation element and a lock and a rear deflector. The actuation element is mobile between a first position and a second position, controlling the position of the lock and the position of the rear deflector such that in the first position, the lock occupies a locking position to block an upper cuff in rotation relative to a shell base, and the rear deflector occupies a low position to close a cut-out at the rear of a shell base; and in the second position, the lock occupies an unlocking position to release the rotation of an upper cuff relative to a shell base, and the rear deflector occupies a high position to open up at least partly a cut-out at the rear of a shell base, in order to increase the amplitude of flexure of a lower leg in a sports boot.

Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear includes a base layer, an exterior layer, a first strap, and a second strap. The exterior layer at least partially covers an outer side of the base layer and defines a first aperture and a second aperture both in a forefoot region. Each strap includes a central portion, a front branch, and a rear branch, the front and rear branches disposed between the outer side of the base layer and the exterior layer. The front branch of the second strap crosses the rear branch of the first strap and is disposed forward of the rear branch of the first strap at the lower extent of the base layer. The central portion of the first strap extends through the first aperture and defines a first loop, and the central portion of the second strap extends through the second aperture and defines a second loop.

Abstract: Heel Strap is disclosed. A shoe apparel accessory ornamental design heel strap having a V-shape, a left attachment loop opening on left extended end, a right attachment loop opening on right extended end, the left attachment loop opening and right attachment loop opening of the heel strap extending substantially horizontally from the back of the heel area to a horizontal stretch forward direction from the heel area, and outside stitching and inside stitching. In some embodiments, (1) the heel strap, front elastic band in the form of a V-shape with ends that are attached to, or formed with, the environmental clips that forms no part of the claim.

Abstract: A running shoe includes an upper coupled to a sole structure. The sole structure includes a midsole and an outsole. The outsole wraps around a sole structure such that it contacts the midsole. The outer surface of the outsole includes a series of treads or traction elements extending along the bottom and sides of the outsole. With this configuration, when the sole structure contacts an uneven topography, the outsole conforms around the topography, stabilizing the footwear during use.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper including a body and a unitary support frame attached to the body. A sole structure may be attached to and underlie the upper. The unitary support frame may support the body over the sole structure, and the body may define a foot-receiving cavity over the sole structure and an ankle opening in communication with the foot-receiving cavity. The unitary support frame may define a medial peak at a medial side of the article of footwear and a lateral peak at a lateral side of the article of footwear and may extend forwardly and downwardly from the medial peak and the lateral peak.

Abstract: A footwear upper is made of a knitted engineered fabric. The footwear upper includes a front portion for covering an upper part of a foot, an intermediate portion corresponding to an insole, and a rear portion for covering a heel. The front portion, the intermediate portion and the rear portion are produced with an engineered fabric composed of an internal core and a pair of external layers of knitted fabric. The footwear upper is made as one piece, is already contoured during a machining stage and is ready to be applied to a sole without any other type of machining, except for the possibility of sealing for joining the front portion to the rear portion laterally.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a shoe assembly comprises a vamp and a sole. The vamp includes a middle section, and the vamp and the middle section are formed of a continuous piece of a first molded material. The vamp also includes a first aperture and a second aperture. The sole includes a forefoot section and a heel section that are joined by a midfoot section. The forefoot section, the heel section, and the midfoot section are formed of a continuous piece of a second molded material. The second molded material is an EVA-based material. The first aperture of the vamp receives a part of the forefoot section and the second aperture receives a part of the heel section. When the shoe assembly is placed on a flat surface, the forefoot section is in direct contact with the flat surface.

Abstract: Accessorized footwear for preventing a pant leg from entering a shoe includes a shoe. A sheath is positioned in a heelcap of the shoe. The sheath extends from proximate to a heel to proximate to a topline of the shoe so that the sheath substantially bisects the heelcap. A shaft is selectively extensible from the sheath and is configured to extend proximate to an Achilles tendon of a foot that is positioned in the shoe. The shaft is positioned to deflect a bottom of a pant leg from entering a gap between the heelcap and the foot.

Abstract: An insole for a shoe, in particular for a sports shoe, having a first sole section with a standing surface for a user's foot. The first sole section extends vertically over a specified first height when the insole is used as intended. At least two second sole sections are arranged below the first sole section. A second sole section is arranged in a front section of the insole and a second sole section is arranged in a rear section of the insole viewed from the sole longitudinal direction. The two second sole sections extend over a specified second height in the vertical direction when the insole is used as intended and at least one elastic element connects the two second sole sections, each of the two ends of the elastic element engaging with a respective second sole section within the extent of the second height.

Abstract: A dish washable teething shoe for infants. The teething shoe is made of a food grade silicone rubber. The teething shoe defines a flat appendage that extends outward from front section of the shoe. The flat appendage shall extend outward from the front outsole of the shoe and the appendage shall follow the curvature of the front section of the shoe. The top and bottom sections of the flat appendage define a plurality of protuberances.

Abstract: Provided is footwear that can simplify joining operation and reduce the time of the operation when a knitted fabric is formed into a three-dimensional shape. There is presupposed footwear obtained by forming a knitted fabric knitted with a flat knitting machine into a three-dimensional shape by joining left and right extended ends of a shoe tongue part and both the left and right positions of a sole in a front end portion of a main part. The footwear includes insertion pieces extended outward in a left-right direction from the left and right extended ends of the shoe tongue part, and insertion holes that linearly extend from both the left and right positions of the sole in the front end portion of the main part toward a heel part side, receive the insertion pieces inserted thereinto, and temporarily retain the insertion pieces.

Abstract: The systems, methods and apparatuses described herein provide a footwear hydraulic system for harvesting power generated by pressing a foot on a surface and providing a cushion for the impact. In certain aspects, a hydraulic system for a footwear may comprise at least one chamber with a first and second compartments separated by an elastic membrane. The first compartment may be filled with gas and the second compartment may be filled with liquid. The gas may provide impact cushion and transient energy storage, and the liquid may pressured to push a generator to produce energy. The pressure may be generated by pressing the footwear on a surface and/or the elastic membrane of the chamber trying to restore its shape.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure. The upper includes a base layer and one or more tensile strands. The sole structure includes an auxetic element operable to expand in two orthogonal horizontal directions in response to a tension applied in one of the directions. Each tensile strand has at least one end secured in fixed position relative to a peripheral region of the sole structure.

Abstract: A locking device for sports footwear is adapted to lock two mutually hinged portions of sports footwear or to release them from each other. The locking device may be used in a ski boot for locking or releasing the shell and cuff relative to each other. The locking device comprises a male member and a female member, which members comprise respective engaging elements adapted to cooperate with each other, and actuating elements for moving the members from a configuration in which the male member is disengaged from the female member to a configuration in which the male member is engaged with the female member. The engaging elements of the male member and/or the engaging elements of the female member have a tapered or conical shape, whereby it is possible to make a coupling without clearance between the male member and the female member when the members are engaged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interchangeable footwear device. The device may include a flip-flop sandal design wherein the device may include interchangeable structural features to allow a user to change features as associated with a particular terrain. The interchangeable footwear device includes a gripping system to traverse a number of different terrains. The footwear may include a sole member having a thong member attached to a top of the sole and a heel strap selectively attached to the sole. The heel strap may be selectively attached to the sole with a fastener that may be manually adjusted in a secured or unsecured position to remove the heel strap from the sole. In particular, the interchangeable footwear device may include a gripping unit selectively attached to the sole member of the footwear. The gripping unit may include a toe grip pad and a heel grip pad.

Abstract: Provided is a self-fitting and automatically adjustable footwear wherein the shoe upper and/or shoe tongue have or are attached to a shape memory material (‘SMM”). Upon stimulation, the SMM deforms and brings the footwear to self-assemble about a foot, which further brings two clasp members close to each other and facilitates the clasp thereof to form a self-assembled and closed footwear. The clasp members may be integrated with straps or shoelaces, and optionally SMM. The footwear may include a motor, a control unit, and sensors which enable a motor-actuated fine tensioning of the footwear. A push button to enable manual opening of the footwear may be affixed on the footwear or removably attached to multiple surfaces/locations. The entire assembly generates data transmittable to health care providers and other data trackers. The footwear may include a battery, which may be charged by placing the footwear on a charge dock station.

Abstract: An article of footwear with a size-adjustable system capable of adjusting the size of the artifice of footwear is provided. The size-adjustable system comprises three sets of removable inserts. The inserts engage the article of footwear in the heel region of the upper to provide both space-filling in the heel region as well as stabilization of the foot. When each set of sizing inserts are disposed within the article of footwear, the size of the foot the article of footwear is capable of receiving is different. By providing a size-adjustable system, the article of footwear is capable of receiving multiple foot sizes, such as that of a growing child.

Abstract: Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) a sole structure; (b) an upper having lateral and medial side elements engaged with the sole structure, the upper made from a polymer matrix structure that extends through at least a heel region; (c) a size adjustment mechanism located at the heel region; (d) a heel tongue element located adjacent the size adjustment mechanism; (e) a shoe securing mechanism; (f) an instep tongue member; and/or (g) a bootie member located at least partially within the foot-receiving chamber. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed.

Abstract: Footwear includes a shaft and a shell connected to the shaft. The shaft includes an expandable portion adapted to expand to facilitate ease of entry and exit of a heel of a foot into and out of the shell. The expandable portion is surrounded by a material forming the shaft.

Abstract: A sport footwear comprises a lower part or shell to contain the foot, and an upper part or cuff to contain and surround the joint of the ankle and the lower part of the leg. The cuff and shell are pivoted with respect to each other. A clamping device is provided for the reciprocal clamping of the cuff and the shell at least in a first clamped position and a second unclamped position, in which the free oscillatory movement of cuff and shell is allowed.

Abstract: Collapsible, adjustable scuba fin with a cam lock feature. The blades of the fin are set on an enclosed track in the foot plate which allows the blades to be extended to create a fin of variable surface area for different swimming conditions or retracted under the foot plate for walking. The blades can be locked in place by the cam lock which is attached to the foot plate by means of a screw and foot pocket by means of an adjustable pull lanyard. The foot pocket and heel hilt can be adjusted to accommodate feet and footwear of varying size, and style allowing a single fin to fit multiple individuals and requirements. A T-bolt slider set in the foot plate can be rotated or removed to access the space between the blades allowing for the clearing of debris.

Abstract: A running shoe design focused on the heel section of running shoes used in, for example, T2 transition phase of the sport of triathlon. A heel counter portion of the shoe is a retractable flap. The flap retracts to an open position at a 45 to 90 degree angle awaiting the unhindered insertion of the runner's foot without any need for the runner to bend or sit. Immediately after the foot is inserted, the flap is closed with a pressing forward action by the athlete's other foot. The flap and the sides of the shoe are coated with adhesive, velcro-like materials. A variation of the foregoing uses a heel counter cut from the center top to the midsole area at the bottom, resulting in an acceptable size opening for uninhibited foot insertion when the flap (or strap) portion of the heel counter is set in the open position.

Abstract: An adjustable heel support member includes a base portion and an extended portion. The extended portion comprises a lateral portion, a medial portion and a rearward portion. The heel support member further includes a fastening member that can be used to adjust the lateral portion, the medial portion and the rearward portion to resize the heel support member. In some cases, the fastening member may be an elastic ring.

Abstract: There is provided a structure of a shoe sole that suppresses excessive bending by reinforcing the front foot portion of a sole having a reduced weight. The shoe sole may include a mid sole for absorbing an impact of landing, an outer sole placed under the mid sole and in contact with the ground, and a reinforcement element for suppressing bending of a front foot portion during push-off. The reinforcement element includes a medial reinforcement portion extending in a front-rear direction along a medial side of the front foot portion; a lateral reinforcement portion extending in the front-rear direction along a lateral side of the front foot portion; a connection and reinforcement portion for connecting the medial and lateral reinforcement portions and for providing reinforcement; and a connection portion for connecting the medial reinforcement portion and the lateral reinforcement portion in an area posterior to the connection and reinforcement portion.

Abstract: An insole for a high heeled platform shoe (30), shaped to accommodate a platform (48) between the insole and an underside of a wearer's foot. Also, a high heeled platform shoe (30) including an outsole, an insole and a platform, in which the outsole is located on one side of the insole and the platform is located on the other side of the insole. Also, a last for lasting a high heeled platform shoe, the last being shaped to correspond to the shape of a foot and a platform located against the sole of the foot. Manufacture includes providing a platform located on one side of an insole and an outsole on the other side of the insole. The platform and its location above the insole provide comfort to the wearer of the shoe and reduce health problems.

Abstract: A sizing system for an article of footwear includes an insert attachable to the upper of the article of footwear. The insert is positioned within a pocket formed between the lining of the upper and the exterior shell of the upper. When attached to the upper, the insert forms a part of the exterior surface of the article of footwear. When the insert is removed, part of the pocket forms a portion of the exterior surface of the article of footwear or a flap is extended over the pocket to form a portion of the exterior surface of the article of footwear. The insert may be secured within the pocket using a mechanical fastener.

Abstract: Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) a sole structure; (b) an upper having lateral and medial side elements engaged with the sole structure, the upper made from a polymer matrix structure that extends through at least a heel region; (c) a size adjustment mechanism located at the heel region; (d) a heel tongue element located adjacent the size adjustment mechanism; (e) a shoe securing mechanism; (f) an instep tongue member; and/or (g) a bootie member located at least partially within the foot-receiving chamber. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed.

Abstract: Shoe heels with very thin titanium or aluminum alloy wires can achieve exotic visual effect, sophisticated variation in design and style, high strength, durable quality, lightweight and corrosion resistance. The heels comprise a first portion configured to join an outsole of the shoe, a second portion configured to support the shoe on the ground when the shoe is worn by a wearer, and a supporting structure joining the first portion to the second portion; wherein the supporting structure comprises one or more supporting wires; wherein at least one of the one or more supporting wires directly joins the first portion and at least one of the one or more supporting wires directly joins the second portion; wherein at least one of the one or more supporting wires comprises a material selected from a group consisting of titanium alloy, aluminum alloy, and a combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to heeled footwear such as a shoe or boot comprising a sole assembly and a heel part. The heel part comprises an insert formed in a first material. The insert comprises a core body delimited by an upper surface, a lower bottom surface, and an outer surface connecting the upper and lower surfaces. At least a part of the outer surface is encased/enclosed in a second material different from the first material. The outer material forms an outer contour layer of the heel part, and the sole assembly comprises an outsole formed in the second material, said second material not covering the lower bottom surface and said second material being softer than the first material. The outsole and the outer contour layer are designed to be formed in one piece providing an outer sole unit being one component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an outsole for a shoe which lessens the impact on a wearer's heel region to aid in preventing and treating heel spurs. The rear portion of the outsole comprises a heel region having a cut-out in a center part of the heel region such that the center part of the heel region never contacts a surface when worn. This aspect is central to the function of the present invention since the positioning of the cut-out eliminates impact on a wearer's heels. Rather, pressure from impact is distributed from the center of the heel to the outer edges of the heel region which symmetrically flank the cut-out. Finally, the present invention relates to a shoe comprising an upper attached with an outsole or formed as one piece with an outsole as previously described.

Abstract: A high-heeled shoe having a sole and a heel of at least 4 cm height provided thereto, wherein the heel is provided with a damping means. The damping means comprises at least one damping element. The damping element has different effective damping cross sections along the heel's longitudinal axis and/or is freely deformable in at least one direction perpendicular to the heel's longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A footwear system with a swiveling heel operable to facilitate access for adorning footwear. The heel swivels or detaches to allow facilitated access to an interior portion of the footwear. The heel joins with a body of the footwear at a hinge. The hinge allows the heel and the body to rotate or swivel relative to each other about a fixed axis of rotation. The heel rotates around the hinge in a substantially horizontal direction. The heel swivels away from the body to form an open position, and then secures back to the body to form a closed position. Fasteners secure the rotating free end of the heel to the body portion. A pad portion at least partially covers the fasteners and the hinge to provide comfort while adorning the footwear. Straps extend from the heel to join with the fasteners on the body portion.

Abstract: An ice grip accessory for a shoe having a toe portion, a high heel and a sole has joined forward and rear portions. The forward portion has a toe box for engaging a toe portion of the shoe and a pad oriented upon a bottom surface of the shoe sole, the pad supporting a plurality of depending ice grip studs. The rear portion has a heel box for engaging at least a portion of the top lift of the shoe heel, the heel box supporting a heel pad oriented upon a bottom surface of the heel, the heel pad supporting a depending ice grip stud. The forward and rear portions are joined by a strap extending between and connecting the forward portion pad and the heel box, the strap including an upwardly extending portion surrounding an upper portion of the shoe counter. The straps may be length adjustable to allow the accessory to be accommodated of a variety of differently-sized shoes.

Abstract: An article of footwear including heel portion movable relative to the forefoot portion from a first articulated configuration to a second articulated configuration is provided. An articulation assembly having a forefoot articulation member and a heel articulation member is also provided. The articulation assembly couples the forefoot portion to the heel portion and includes a hinge mechanism and a cam mechanism. The hinge mechanism may include a pin located within a socket. The cam mechanism may include a cam surface and a protrusion configured to ride on the cam surface. The article of footwear may include a locking mechanism having a first locking element that engages a second locking element in the first articulated configuration. The first locking element may be a first concavity formed in a surface and the second locking element may be a protrusion configured to extend into the first concavity in the first articulated configuration.

Abstract: A hinge member incorporated between a footbed toe plate and footbed arch plate allowing a shoe to be configured as a flat or heeled shoe. The footbed toe plate and footbed arch plate are rotatably joined via one or more hinge pins inserted through interlaced teeth of each plate. A spring-biased hinge lock extending between the two plates is controlled by a spring-biased pin in positioned with a notch selectively receiving the hinge lock such that the hinge lock disengages said footbed arch plate allowing said footbed arch plate to rotate relative to said footbed toe plate. The heel block includes a spring-biased heel lock extending into a removable heel and is controlled by a spring-biased pin positioned with a notch selectively receiving the hinge lock such that the hinge lock disengages said heel allowing said heel to be freely removed from said heel block.

Abstract: A correctional running shoe with an upper shoe attached to a negative sole having a heel, a specially designed flexible midsole, and a toe portion, all made from cushioned material. The heel has at least about 1/6 to about 1/3 less thickness than the toe portion so that the foot naturally rests with the toe inclined and the heel downward.

Abstract: A footwear traction device is disclosed that enhances regular or slip-resistant shoes during a slip-in-progress. The traction device includes an adhesive layer embedded with microscopic friction additives, natural or engineered, and partially covered with an epoxy resin in a design that pierces and grips the microscopic roughness of a surface and any contaminants thereon, providing emergency traction during a slip. The footwear traction device provides more than one opportunity to recover from a slip and regain traction. In the event that a fall is unavoidable, the footwear traction device provides a first and a second push back force, spreading the force of the fall over a larger area, minimizing the absolute force of the fall and providing a safer trajectory during the fall. The slip recovery method and system of the present invention offers an economical solution that reduces the financial and human toll caused by slip-and-fall accidents and deaths.

Abstract: Footwear comprises a base, the base comprising a sole and a heel, the heel having a thickness greater than a thickness of a forward portion of the base, the base having an upper profile shape. The footwear further comprises a foot encapsulating device connected to the base and configured to enwrap a human foot, a compartment located within the heel, the compartment having a dimension of at least one inch and a depth less than the thickness of the heel, and a compartment cover rotatably connected to the base and configured to fully cover the compartment when in a closed configuration. The compartment cover is sufficiently rigid to avoid bending when a weight of 50 pounds rests on it when in a closed configuration, and the compartment cover substantially matches the upper profile shape of the base when in a closed configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibration generating shoe including: an upper part; an outsole part disposed on the underside of the upper part; and a vibration device having a vibration plate adapted to transmit vibrations to the shoe, a first magnet attached to the vibration plate, a second magnet disposed above the first magnet in such a manner as to have a repulsive force against the top surface of the first magnet, and a third magnet disposed below the first magnet in such a manner as to have a repulsive force against the underside surface of the first magnet, whereby a portion of the vibration plate to which the first magnet is fixed is vibrated between the second magnet and the third magnet.

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.