Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, with a shoe upper part and an outsole joined to the latter, and also with a heel shell, which at least partially encloses the heel of the wearer of the shoe. To allow the shoe to be adapted to individual needs in a simple and low-cost way, the invention provides that the heel shell is interchangeably arranged in the shoe upper part, wherein it has in a surface region at least one projection or a recess, which interacts with a recess or a projection in the shoe upper part to fix the heel shell in the shoe upper part with a form fit, wherein the heel shell is joined to an insert sole and wherein the heel shell and the insert sole are formed as one piece.

Abstract: A step-in shoe of novel design that includes a heel strap that can be donned by the user without the necessity of manipulating the heel strap with the fingers to correctly position the heel strap about the user's heel. The step-in shoe is constructed from a novel, lofted foam material that permits the heel strap to flex downwardly as the foot starts to enter the body of the shoe, but automatically positions itself about the heel of the user as the user's foot fully enters the internal chamber of the body of the shoe.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper, an outsole, and a midsole. The upper is configured to receive a foot, and the outsole is secured to the upper. The outsole defines a plurality of apertures extending entirely through the outsole. In addition, the outsole has a ground-engaging surface positioned at a first elevation. The midsole is separate from the upper and the outsole. The midsole is also positionable within the upper such that a lower surface of the midsole extends into the apertures of the outsole and is exposed by the apertures. The lower surface is at a second elevation, the first elevation being less than the second elevation.

Abstract: A shoe (1), having a toe section (2), and a heel section (3). The heel section (3), either totally or partly detachable from the toe section (2). Once at least partly detached, the shoe may be easily slipped onto the foot of a wearer, without the wearer having to bend or apply pressure to their foot to install or remove the shoe. In the embodiments in which the shoe is partly detached, the heel section (3) may be rotated relative to the toe section (2), either sideways or downwards. The detachable fastening means (4) may incorporate zippers, Velcro™ or other fastening means.

Abstract: The modified oxford shoe (10) providing vertical and horizontal heel pressure diminishment including an optional means of adjusting pronation is an inventive device which diminishes pressures to the heel with a floating collar and supple counter assembly with adjusting strap, with spacing studs attached strategically to the sides of the midsole (15) to prevent exterior pressure to the heel and with a multi functioning cushion assembly coupled with adjustable underlying steel springs and resilient midsole (15) and wearing surface (17) to diminish pressure to the bottom of the heel and provide pronation adjustment if needed.

Abstract: An article of footwear for use in weight lifting is disclosed. The article of footwear includes a non-deforming midsole. Also, the article of footwear includes a raised heel and a substantially flat bottom surface. Additionally, the article of footwear includes holes formed along the bottom of the midsole in order to reduce the weight of the article of footwear.

Abstract: A novelty footwear item includes a footbed and a heel-shaped storage unit which has a liftable lid. The footbed and the storage unit are mounted within a wedge-shaped cupsole so that a rear portion of the footbed overlays and conceals the storage unit and pivots up and away from the cupsole in unison with the lid when it is lifted to provide a user access to the heel-shaped storage unit.

Abstract: A novelty footwear item includes a mid-sole foot platform for supporting from below the foot of a user, an outer sole for providing the footwear item with turning traction and a stash assembly sandwiched between the mid-sole foot platform and the outer sole, wherein said stash assembly has disposed therein a slidably removable comb sufficient width, length and depth dimensions for storage therein of loose items.

Abstract: A novelty footwear item includes a flexible outsole, a flexible footbed and a flexible elongated wedge-shape midsole. The midsole has a unitary construction including a heel support area and an arch support area. An open storage compartment is disposed within the heel support area and is concealed by the footbed which overlays the midsole and the outsole. The footbed is fixedly attached to a front toe area of the outsole and fixedly attached to the midsole at about the arch support area. The footbed is further removably attached to the midsole at about the heel support area so that the footbed may be lifted up pivotally and way from the heel support area to provide user access to the storage compartment. Stiffeners disposed within the footbed facilitate the pivoting of the footbed and prevent collapse of the footbed into the compartment under a user load.

Abstract: A novelty footwear item includes a footwear construction with a heel compartment that has a sufficient height dimension and a sufficient width dimension to support from below the heel of a user and which is adapted to receive therein a removable locking surfboard wax roughing comb which in turn has sufficient height, width and depth dimensions for the storage of a bar of surfboard wax.

Abstract: The Circulation Shoe can be made of Leather, canvas or other synthetic material, It can be washed in a washing machine. The sole of the shoe is made of rubber or leather. The thickness of the sole should be made in various thicknesses depending on the patients needs.

Abstract: An article of footwear for receiving a foot of a wearer. The footwear includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The footwear also includes a heel strap having a U-shaped configuration with a pair of end areas and a central area. The end areas are secured to at least one of the upper and the sole structure, and the central area is unsecured to the upper and the sole structure. At least one of the upper and the sole structure defme a foot-supporting surface with a raised periphery in at least a heel region of the footwear, and the central area of the heel strap is a contoured area that lays adjacent the raised periphery in the heel region. The strap may be separated from the foot-supporting surface and placed around a heel of the foot.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole assembly and an upper secured to the sole assembly. A heel counter is secured to the sole assembly. The heel counter includes an inner portion and an outer portion secured to the inner portion. A portion of the upper is captured between the inner and outer portions of the heel counter.

Abstract: Shoe having a rear attachment element (5) joined to a mobile support (6) that moves from an open position in which it is separated from the heel of the foot and a closed position in which it holds the heel piece, also connected to a mechanism housed in said heel piece (3), which mechanism can be actuated by applying pressure with the heel of the user's foot on the heel piece (3) to displace the mobile support (6) from the open to the closed position, where it is kept by first retaining-releasing means (10, 26, 50, 70, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160), while the other foot of the user acts on a member (24, 36, 51, 71, 91, 101, 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 152) of the mechanism for moving said mobile support (6) from the closed to the open position, where it is maintained by second elastic retaining-releasing means (7, 25, 52, 72, 92, 102, 112, 122, 132, 142, 152, 162).

Abstract: A pivotal counter assembly for a shoe has a base, a pivot, a counter plate, a torsion spring, a push button, an engaging device and a biasing member. The pivot is pivotally mounted in the base with a pivot pin. The counter plate extends upward from the pivot. The torsion spring is mounted around the pivot pin to provide a recoil force to the pivot. The push button is slidably mounted in the base. The engaging device is mounted between the push button and the pivot to hold the counter plate at a desired position. The biasing member is mounted between the push button and the base to provide a restitution force to the push button. In such an arrangement, the user does not need to manually push the push button, and the use of the counter assembly is easy and convenient.

Abstract: A shoe horn attachment (8) for a shoe has guiding means (2, 2a) for guiding the heel of a user's foot as the user inserts the foot into the shoe. At least one fastener (13, 15) is provided for securing the attachment to the shoe. A user can press on the upper back edge (2b) of the attachment when taking the shoe off, and this makes it easier to take the shoe off. A person who becomes disabled or who otherwise has difficulty in bending down to put on and take off their shoes may fit their shoes with shoe horn attachments of the invention.

Abstract: A shoe having a rubberized sole, a heel section having a heel support, an at least partially covered toe section, and a generally open midsection extending from approximately the wearer's toe/instep joint to the front of the wearer's ankle. In some embodiments, the shoe may comprise waterproof materials or water resistant materials. The midsection may comprise a side rail that rises above the sole between the toe section and the heel section. The shoe may further comprise a strap anchored to one side of the shoe and adapted to wrap around the wearer's foot to a securing member on the other side of the shoe to secure the wearer's foot in the shoe.

Abstract: A slip-on footwear system including an upper that defines an elasticized gore in the heel portion of the footwear. In the heel portion of the footwear, one or more upper panels cooperate to define a recess, also referred to as a gore, which is bounded by a perimeter. An elastic panel is secured along the perimeter and cooperates with the one or more upper panels to further define an opening through which a foot is inserted into the upper. The elastic panel is stretchable and resilient so that when a user inserts their foot into the footwear, the gore opens-up, which in turn enlarges the opening. A heel flap may be secured to the upper panels in the heel region below the gore to conceal the gore and elastic panel, without inhibiting the stretch of the elastic panel. The heel flap may also add structural rigidity to the footwear.

Abstract: A pivotal back for a sandal style shoe with a sole is adapted to be pivotally attached to the sole (41). The pivotal back is composed of a back (10), a pivot device attached to the back (10) and a hinge (30) attached to the sole (41) to support the pivot device. The back (10) can be pivoted out from the sandal style shoe to release constraints on a foot so a person wearing the sandal style shoe can conveniently put on or take off the sandal style shoe.

Abstract: A shoe has a sole, an upper and a counter portion. The upper is securely connected to the sole and has a rear end defined with an opening. The counter portion is detachably connected to the rear end of the upper to close the opening in the upper. A fastener and a connecting device are respectively mounted on two opposite sides of the upper and the counter portion to connect the counter portion to the rear end of the upper. Accordingly, a wearer's foot in the shoe can be vented. Also, for a pair of tied shoes with the counter portions can be put on or taken off without tying or untying the laces. The use of the shoe is versatile and convenient.

Abstract: The modified oxford shoe providing vertical and horizontal heel pressure diminishment including an optional means of adjusting pronation is an inventive device which diminishes pressures to the heel with a floating collar and supple counter assembly with adjusting strap, with spacing studs attached strategically to the sides of the midsole to prevent exterior pressure to the heel and with a multi functioning cushion assembly coupled with adjustable underlying steel springs and resilient midsole and wearing surface to diminish pressure to the bottom of the heel and provide pronation adjustment if needed.

Abstract: A shoe has a sole, an upper and a counter portion. The upper is securely connected to the sole and has a rear end defined with an opening. The counter portion is pivotally connected to a rear end of the sole to close the opening in the upper. A fastener is mounted on the upper and the pivotal counter portion to connect the pivotal counter portion to the rear end of the upper. Accordingly, a wearer's foot in the shoe can be vented. Also, for a pair of tied shoes with the pivotal counter portions can be put on or taken off without tying or untying the laces. The use of the shoe becomes more versatile and more convenient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thin sandal made for reef and river walking utilizing a sponge-top layer directly fixed to a rubber sole as well as a single continuous adjustable elastic strap.

Abstract: A slipper having a sole and a foot covering that transforms into a toy play character by coupling the sole to the foot covering. The toy character may take the form of an animal, a human figure, or an imaginary, or abstract character, or other object. The transforming slipper toy may be made of plush material. Conveniently, the sole is coupled to the foot covering using Velcro®, button or snap fasteners, hooks, a zipper® or string. The sole may also have a pocket for receiving a heel portion of the sole whereby the sole and the foot covering are united.

Abstract: A slipper having a sole and a foot covering that transforms into a toy play character by coupling the sole to the foot covering. The toy character may take the form of an animal, a human figure, or an imaginary, or abstract character, or other object. The transforming slipper toy may be made of plush material. Conveniently, the sole is coupled to the foot covering using Velcro®, button or snap fasteners, hooks, a zipper® or string. The sole may also have a pocket for receiving a heel portion of the sole whereby the sole and the foot covering are united.

Abstract: A shoe has a sole, an upper and a counter portion. The upper is securely connected to the sole and has a rear end defined with an opening. The counter portion is pivotally connected to a rear end of the sole to close the opening in the upper. A fastener is mounted on the upper and the pivotal counter portion to connect the pivotal counter portion to the rear end of the upper. Accordingly, a wearer's foot in the shoe can be vented. Also, for a pair of tied shoes with the pivotal counter portions can be put on or taken off without tying or untying the laces. The use of the shoe becomes more versatile and more convenient.

Abstract: A shoe adapted to be used as a mule. The shoe has an upper that includes a quarter and a heel piece. These two parts of the shoe are connected by a band that extends to the sole, the band having a greater flexibility than the heel piece and the quarter. This constructive arrangement makes it possible to flatten the heel piece forwardly, and to thus permit entry of the foot into the shoe through the rear.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a camp shoe that is similar in most aspects to a typical shoe. However, to make it easy to pack and tote in a knapsack, for example, this shoe has construction features that permit it to be folded flat to conform with sole of the shoe and, therefore, be easily tucked in and toted in luggage where spare space is typically at a premium. The construction features include a rigid heel counter; a heel support flexibly attached to said heel counter; a pair of upper ankle supports flexibly attached to said heel support; and a pair of lower ankle supports flexibly attached to said upper ankle supports and said heel counter.

Abstract: A boot with a heel-back fastening mechanism has a split heel-back through which the foot of the user is inserted into the foot receiving cavity of the boot shell. The boot includes a boot shell having a heel cup secured to a sole assembly. The boot shell has a split heel-back that forms a boot shell left side and a boot shell right side. The heel-back fastening mechanism includes a flexible heel center member, a plurality of heel securing straps, and a plurality of heel securing grommets. The flexible heel center member extends away from the heel cup and is sealingly connected between the left and right sides of the boot shell. The plurality of heel securing straps each has an end secured to one of the boot shell sides. Each of the heel securing grommets is secured through a side of the boot shell opposite the point of attachment for each end of the plurality of heel straps. Each of the plurality of heel securing straps includes first and second companionate sections of hook and pile fastener material.

Abstract: The shoe has a sole which has a ball section and a heel, the heel having an open middle section under the heel of the foot which is bridged by a bridging element. The bridging element is rigid. The open middle section of the heel can reach as far as the front edge of the heel so that this is U- or C-shaped. The edge section of the bridging element can overlap with the inner edge of the heel. The ball section of the sole can be separated from the heel so that both are connected to the upper part of the shoe without being directly connected to each other, or the bridging element can reach as far as the ball section and overlaps with approximately one third of this.

Abstract: A sport boot adapted in particular to gliding on snow, ice or hard ground, having an outer sole adapted to be made integral with a gliding member if necessary, and from which an upper extends to cover the skater's foot, wherein the boot has two parts, the first of which, made from a relatively rigid material, constitutes a cradle forming a rear envelope adapted to house the skater's heel and extending forward to constitute the sole, which is adapted to be made integral, during assembly, with a second part, made from a relatively flexible material, constituting a vamp covering the skater's forefoot, having a plantar support, that is nested then respectively connected to the cradle by fixed connecting elements that are implemented after a relative adjustment of the vamp in the longitudinal direction with respect to said cradle, between at least two positions corresponding to at least two successive sizes, the vamp furthermore including deformation zones allowing its nesting in the cradle.

Abstract: A sport shoe having an upper, a sole having at least an outer sole having a mobile portion at least at the heel portion of the sole which is pivotable about a lateral axis forward of the heel portion. A midsole insert member is insertable between the mobile portion and the upper. The mobile portion includes upper engaging projections cooperating with the upper to prevent the midsole insert from moving laterally relative to the upper when the midsole insert member is introduced between the mobile portion and the upper.

Abstract: The Transparent Shoe Cover is an open soled or partially open soled cover for boots, dress shoes, and most particularly sport shoes. The shoe cover provides a temporary and transferable see through protective shield to preserve the attractive appearance, enhance the wear life, and further the life span of costly footwear.The cover generally includes a durable, transparent material which covers the partial sole, outer sole, upper and side portions of the shoe. A toe hold is utilized to hold the cover in place at the toe portion of the shoes. Additionally, an adaptable retention is utilized near the heel or rear instep of the shoe to hold the cover onto the shoe and prevent slipping of the cover during normal activity or movement by the wearer. The adaptable retention provides the stretch and adaptability necessary to enable the shoe cover to fit a wide range of shoe shapes and sizes.

Abstract: A boot having an expansion flap connected to the rear of a boot leg. The expansion flap is formed to extend generally rearwardly of the boot leg to allow easy ingress and egress of a user's foot into and out of the boot. A biasing device is connected between the expansion flap and the boot leg so as to cause the expansion flap to extend generally rearwardly of the boot leg when the boot is not being worn. A first fastener is carried on the expansion flap, a second fastener is carried on one side wall of the boot leg, and a third fastener is carried on another side wall of the boot leg, the second and third fasteners thereby allowing the expansion flap to be held in wrapped relation against either the one side wall or the other side wall, as selected by the boot's user, when the boot is being worn.

Abstract: A sport shoe having an upper, a sole having at least an outer sole having a mobile portion at least at the heel portion of the sole which is pivotable about a lateral axis forward of the heel portion. A midsole insert member is insertable between the mobile portion and the upper. The mobile portion includes upper engaging projections cooperating with the upper to prevent the midsole insert from moving laterally relative to the upper when the midsole insert member is introduced between the mobile portion and the upper.

Abstract: A sport boot with an upper which closes by tightening devices for maintaining it on the lower part of the wearer's leg includes a device for adjusting a portion of its contour adapted to modify the envelopment perimeter of the upper, independently of the tightening devices. The adjustment device has a linkage element having a rigidity at least equivalent to that of the wall of the upper, which is fixed rigidly and only on both sides of a scallop to block reciprocally the edges of the latter and to ensure continuity of the upper edge of the upper, a fixing device being provided to be adjustable to vary the spacing of the scallop edges whose lower portion is located toward the base of the upper in the zone corresponding to the transition zone between the lower part of the leg and the ankle of the wearer of the boot.

Abstract: An improved adjustable shoe comprising a semirigid sole which is releasably attachable to an upper formed with a bottom portion overlying said sole and having a pair of toe portions which can be overlapped to cover the toes of a foot and which carry releasable fastening means for attaching said toe portions to each other, together with a rear flap projecting beyond the rear end of said sole and foldable upward to define the rear end of the shoe and a pair of rear side flaps which can be overlapped and carry means for releasably attaching said rear flaps together to retain said rear flap.

Abstract: An adjustable shoe has a heel, a toecap and an insole. The front portion of an instep has a plurality of positioning protrusions. The first and second fastening pads are disposed on two outer sides of the heel. The first and second ball buttons are disposed on the rear surface of the heel. An adjustable pad with positioning holes thereon is disposed on the toecap. Two flaps are extended upward from the toecap. The inner surface of the flap has a fastening element. The first and second positioning plates are extended from the back of the outsole. The first positioning plate has the first socket button. The second positioning plate has the second socket button.

Abstract: An improved athletic shoe sole with rotatable and replaceable rear soles and replaceable cleats to provide the user with longer wear. The invention also provides the user with the ability to quickly and easily adapt the sole to different desired performance characteristics depending upon the intended activity and terrain or playing surface.

Abstract: An attachment for converting a non-spiked dress or sport shoe to a spiked shoe for golfing or other walking or running activities includes two clam-shell like attachment halves which are pivotable so as to mountable against the sides and bottom of an underlying shoe. The attachment has a longitudinally-extending slitted upper and vertically-extending slitted heel both of which mount suitable fastener elements such as hoops and loops (Velcro.RTM.-type) elements or snap-on buttons or a lacing and eyelet fastener or a zipper fastener. After the attachment is pivotally opened up in the manner of a clam shell, the attachment is placed about the bottom and sides of the non-spiked dress or sports shoe on the user's foot and the fastener(s) cinched up to securely hold the attachment on the underlying shoe so that there is essentially no relative movement therebetween, when the user is walking or engaging in his or her golf swings.

Abstract: An adjustable child shoe comprises a heel, a toecap and an insole. The heel has a position guiding groove, an instep, a plurality of positioning protrusions, and a plurality of fastening elements. The toecap has two flaps, an outsole, an adjustable pad, a foldable extending pad and a plurality of positioning holes. A plurality of fastening elements are disposed in the toecap and the heel.

Abstract: A shoe having a central rotary closure arranged on the heel of the upper in the area above the location at which the heel bone is received and having at least one tightening element which has a tightening section running from the central rotary closure towards each side of the shoe. The tightening sections are coupled by a coupling element with at least one strap which runs from each tightening section or coupling element over the instep or/and by the arch to the other tightening section or coupling element. Furthermore, strap sections span the instep area between locations at which the wearer's ankle and metatarsophalangeal joints are received, these sections crossing each other as they span the instep area, and are fastened at a frontal portion of a respective side of the shoe opposite that at which it is coupled to a respective tightening section.

Abstract: A shoe upper is divided into front and back parts which are hinged together at the shoe sole. The hinge may comprise a creased part of the sole or a mechanical hinge. The parts are held in either an open position or a closed position by a tension spring or a rigid element. The spring and element are pivotally secured to the shoe sole so that their longitudinal axis will be above and extend across the rotational axis of the hinge when the shoe is flat. Additionally, the distance between their points of connection will be less than the corresponding length of sole between said points. This will provide a low stress open position and a higher stress closed position. The stress is created by tension in the spring or by the inherent resilience of the shoe sole counteracting the compression force caused by drawing together the points of connection when a user steps into the shoe.

Abstract: The sports shoe structure, particularly but not exclusively for practicing skating, parachute gliding and cross-country skiing includes an upper with which a cuff is associated, a supporting element for the ankle which is removably associable with the structure and which has a plurality of tabs which can be associated with the upper and can be interposed laterally between the cuff and the upper.

Abstract: New and improved boots for outdoor use by sports persons and the like comprising, in combination, an upper formed of an instep section, a back ankle section, a lower forward peripheral section and with an opening along the upper front with a tongue within the opening, a plurality of eyelets formed along the upper front opening with lacings extending through the eyelets above the tongue for enclosing the opening during use, a plurality of metallic rings extending in vertical lines adjacent the back ankle section from below the ankle to above the ankle with lacings extending through the rings for providing additional support to the rear a wearer's boot and lower leg; and a sole having an intermediate layer as an extension of the upper with a layer of flexible material thereabove and a sponge rubber sole therebelow in the forward portion and a rubber heel therebelow in the rear portion, the rubber heel being formed with a peripheral ridge and linear projections extending forwardly and rearwardly thereof along th

Abstract: A shoe has a retractable heel which is normally latched in an upright position and spring biased into an inclined position. A wearer's foot, when the shoe is donned, acts on a floor member, forcing the heel section into the upright position, causing the heel section to latch to the shoe. The shoe is thus maintained in the donned state, and grips the foot without laces or other attachment devices. A release mechanism is operated by a rod projecting from the rear of the shoe. Release is actuated by moving the shoe rear end against any solid object, thus depressing the release rod. A wearer thus dons the shoe by stepping into it, and releases the heel in order to doff the shoe by manipulating the shoe by foot. Thus, a wearer does not need to use his or her hands either to don or doff the shoe.

Abstract: A length adjustable scuff formed of a fabric sole of sufficient length for at least a portion of its after-section to be folded back on top of the remaining portion of the after-section to provide a support for the wearer's heel and/or arch. The folded-over portion of the after-section may be adjustably retained in its disposition relative to the front section of the sole, either by a velcro type material or by an element securable in the vicinity of the toe of the scuff.

Abstract: A shoe wherein the organization pivots about a pivot hinge mounted coextensively between an intersection of the shoe heel and the shoe sole permitting pivoting separation of a forward portion of the shoe relative to a rear portion of the shoe, wherein the forward portion of the shoe includes a bifurcated edge mounted at each right and left side thereof to receive an associated flange of the rear portion of the shoe, with a locking plunger mounted within each flange of the rear portion of the shoe. A modification of the invention includes a cavity directed within the forward portion of the shoe positioned medially and orthogonally relative to each slot to receive a deodorant packet therefrom, wherein the deodorant packet directs a deodorizing fluid through a permeable inner liner of the shoe construction.

Abstract: Rear-entry ski boot constituted as a whole by a rigid shell topped by an upper (1) and comprising a front cover (2) and a rear cover (3) hinged on a transverse pin. These covers are closed by a tightening system (8) incorporating a flexible connector (9) on which a guide device (15) on the rear cover (3) is covered with a movable cover (17) cooperating with the wall of this rear cover (3), and second, by a strap (30) which closes the top of the upper (1) and maintains it in position. The position-maintenance system on the strap (30) on the rear cover (3) is arranged on an upward extension (17a) of the cover (17) covering the guide device belonging to the connector, so as to form a single cover (31) for the guide or rear position-maintenance system (15) of the set of closing mechanisms.

Abstract: A new athletic shoe is disclosed suitable for packing in small suitbags or luggage for travel. A moveable or a detachable heel portion of the upper of the shoe allows the remainder of the upper to be collapsed to form a thinner shoe. Further, flexible soles may be used with inserts for providing rigidity, thereby allowing the toe of the shoe to be flexed back to the heal of the shoe allowing for a shorter, more compact structure for storage.