Abstract: A dance shoe having an upper and an underfoot portion, the underfoot portion includes a sole shank, consisting of a relatively rigid structure, extending longitudinally in the shoe over at least a forefoot portion of the shoe and at least partially over a midfoot portion. The sole shank has at least one hinge with a unidirectional stop disposed widthwise in the sole shank. The sole shank covers at least the forefoot portion of the underfoot area and it locks to support plantar flexion and hinges to facilitate dorsiflexion of the foot. To facilitate en pointe movements, the sole shank may be coupled to a rigid distal part of the shoe, such as a toe box. The inventive subject matter is also directed to dance shoes, as well as the sole shanks themselves, and to methods of making the sole shanks and using the sole shanks in assemblies.

Abstract: The invention is a high heel shoe with an upper that will provide comfort and flexibility for the wearer. In a preferred embodiment the upper consists of two at least two materials: 1) a firm fabric, such as leather, that will hold the shape of the design and have limited flexibility; 2) a flat knitted elastic, such as knit elastic, which will not narrow, or not narrow significantly, when stretched. In addition, the firm fabric is configured to have a flex-point and in a preferred embodiment is formed of two pieces of the firm material having a “split” between them providing the desired flex-point.

Abstract: A surface skin with which a foamed body is integrally foam-molded and which covers the foamed body includes: a plurality of surface skin members; a first thread passing through at least a part of a needle hole extended through the surface skin members so as to sew the surface skin members together; and a second thread inter-looping or interlacing with the first thread so as to sew the surface skin members together in cooperation with the first thread. The first thread is threaded through an eye of a needle. The second thread is formed by warp weaving or braiding polyester or nylon fiber pieces and is stretchable enough to fill in the needle hole.

Abstract: A pre-tensioned article and method of making an article of footwear involving pre-tensioning a sole structure during manufacturing. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a plurality of apertures that provide an auxetic effect. In further embodiments, the upper may also be pre-tensioned in a similar manner as the sole structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sock (10). The sock (10) has a sole part (100) which is suitable for covering the sole of a foot (1) when the sock (10) is being worn. Furthermore, a toe region (200) of the sock (10) is suitable, together with the sole part (100), for receiving the entire toe region of the foot (1) when the sock (10) is being worn. The sock (10) furthermore comprises an instep part (300) which is suitable for at least partially covering the arch of the foot (1) when the sock (10) is being worn. A heel part (400) of the sock (10) is suitable for covering the heel of the foot (1) when the sock (10) is being worn. The sock (10) comprises an ankle closure part (600) which is suitable for closing the sock (10) in a releasable manner at the ankle of the foot (1) when the sock (10) is being worn.

Abstract: An upper may be included with an article of footwear. The upper may include a textile portion, the textile portion forming a throat area of the upper. The upper may further include a base portion, the base portion extending to a biteline area of the upper. The upper may further include a tie structure, the tie structure extending through a first opening of the textile portion and a second opening of the base portion to secure the textile portion to the base portion.

Abstract: An article of footwear flat pattern upper (126, 300, 302) having an upper portion (302) and a footbed portion (304) is provided. The upper portion (302) and the footbed portion (304) are integrally coextensive, such that the upper portion (302) lateral side (317) converges with the footbed lateral side (317). The footbed portion (304) includes a concave edge (319) extending between the footbed toe end (312) and the footbed heel end (314) along the footbed medial side (315) and a plurality of forming apertures along the medial side (315). The upper portion (302) also includes a plurality of forming apertures extending along the medial side (315).

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of making a knitted shoe component are described herein. In some embodiments, a method comprises knitting one or more fibers to form a toe portion; knitting one or more fibers to form a first wing portion; and knitting one or more fibers to form a second wing portion. The first and second wing portions extend from the toe portion and are knittingly connected to the toe portion. The method further comprises reducing the lateral separation between the first and second wing portions from an initial separation distance to a knitting separation distance such that the wing portions can be knitted together to form a seamless heel portion of the shoe component, including using a series of stitch transfer, racking, and knitting steps.

Abstract: A pre-tensioned article and method of making an article of footwear involving pre-tensioning a sole structure during manufacturing. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a plurality of apertures that provide an auxetic effect. In further embodiments, the upper may also be pre-tensioned in a similar manner as the sole structure.

Abstract: Described are shoes, particularly a sports shoe, having an upper and at least one of an outer sole and a midsole connected to the upper. As examples, the outer sole is knitted in a unitary fashion with the upper. As further examples, an insert is positioned within the one-piece knitwear, wherein the insert comprises a profile that increases traction of the outer sole.

Abstract: Provided herein are mid-soles, sole assemblies, footwear inserts and articles of footwear for walking and running. The midsoles include three cushioning members where the height of the midsole provides a zero drop elevation. The midsole architecture provides dynamic variable resistance that improves performance by using different densities and angles of component mid-sole members that will allow the wearer to move through a full range of motion during walking or running with muscle effort remaining constant while shifting the workload from muscles that have limited power in certain positions, to those with more explosive and endurance capabilities in those same positions.

Abstract: A shoe includes a sole and upper secured to the sole. The upper has a knitted element formed of unitary one-piece construction on a knitting machine. The knitted element includes a Moc seam allowance within a toe region, lateral and medial metatarsal regions, and lateral and medial ball regions. The upper has a Moc seam formed in part by the knitted element. The Moc seam is in at least the toe region, the lateral metatarsal region, and the medial metatarsal region. The Moc seam includes a core around which the Moc seam allowance is wrapped and stitched to itself to contain the core at least partially within a cavity formed by the Moc seam allowance.

Abstract: A harness to be placed over footwear, the harness including a toe portion to be placed around a toe of the footwear. The toe portion may include a plurality of belts from a sole of the footwear to an upper surface of the footwear. The toe portion may further include coupling points located on a front surface and sides of the toe portion. The harness may include a heel portion to be placed around a heel of the footwear. The harness may include a bottom belt that runs along the sole of the footwear that is to couple the toe portion to the heel portion. The harness may further include top belts that run along the upper surface of the footwear that couple the toe portion to the heel portion.

Abstract: An athletic skate body has an integrated leather vamp main body, a heel accessory piece, multiple strengthening pieces, a tongue, a shoe lining, an inner board, and a sole. The integrated leather vamp main body has a seamless toe box surface portion and a first lateral surface portion and a second lateral surface portion extending rearward from two sides of the toe box surface portion. The first and the second lateral surface portions are sewed with a heel accessory piece and thus a heel portion is formed. With the seamless toe box surface portion, strength of a head portion of the athletic skate body is enhanced, and a vamp base can be cut into shape by automation equipment. Thus, with the plane and integral vamp base attached with multiple strengthening pieces precisely, the manpower is saved and the quality of the athletic skate body is improved.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper with a knitted component formed of unitary knit construction. The knitted component has a first edge and a second edge. The knitted component also includes a base portion configured to be disposed adjacent the sole structure and to be disposed under a foot. The knitted component further includes a heel portion, a forefoot portion, a medial portion, and a lateral portion. The knitted component additionally includes a collar with a rim. The second edge is joined to the first edge at a seam. The seam has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is located generally at the rim of the collar on one of the medial side and the lateral side of the upper. The second end is spaced from the first end.

Abstract: An athletic training shoe has an outsole and an upper shoe portion. The portion of the outsole adjacent the front foot cavity has a plurality of molded cleats. The portion of the outsole adjacent the heel cavity is arched up and away from the cleat portion. About the circumference of an opening of the upper shoe body are cushioned hemispherical protuberances, acting as an ankle stabilizer for a wearer of the shoe. This ankle stabilizer can be inserted in the shoe upper or integral therewith.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article of footwear from a flat pattern is provided. The method includes cutting a first cut in a first material through the top surface (502) and the bottom surface of the first material. The method continues with coupling an overlay (500) on the first material top surface (502) such that the overlay (500) extends over the first cut and obscures the first material top surface (502). The method continues with forming the flat pattern having the first material with the first cut and the overlay (500) into a dimensional article of footwear configured to receive a foot. The first material bottom surface is more interior to the dimensional article of footwear than the top surface (502).

Abstract: An article of footwear flat pattern upper having an upper portion and a footbed portion is provided. The upper portion and the footbed portion are integrally continuous, such that the upper portion lateral side converges with the footbed lateral side. The flat pattern includes nested same-sided article of footwear with a reduced surplus portion there between. The articles of footwear includes the following continuous portions: the first medial side with a toe end, the toe end with a lateral side, the lateral side with a heel end, and the heel end with the second medial side. The first medial side and the second medial side are joined to form dimensional article of footwear.

Abstract: A method for continuously knitting a footwear element (101), in particular a shoe element (100), including a knitted upper (110), a knitted tongue (111), and a knitted sole (112).

Abstract: A method for integrally weaving a shoe embryo having an extension is provided. The extension may be a vamp decoration piece, a shoe lace installation piece, an ankle strap or a toe decoration piece. During a weaving process of the shoe embryo of the method, the extension may be formed simultaneously by knitting at least one of yarns. Thus, by weaving the shoe embryo using the method of the present invention, the extension may be prevented from an additional post-process that may reduce the overall aesthetic features of the woven shoe embryo. Further, because the extension is a formed integral, a process of installing the extension after the shoe embryo is woven as in the prior art is eliminated.

Abstract: A watersports sandal is disclosed. The sandal has a flexible sole that underlies and protects a user's foot in a walking configuration. The sandal has a detachable forefoot strap that connects the sole to the user's forefoot and an ankle strap that connects the heel portion of the sole to the lower leg of the user. The sandal can be reconfigured to a stowed configuration in which the forefoot strap attaches the sole to a user's lower leg. In this stowed configuration, the user's bare feet are exposed to allow him fine sensitivity to water sport devices such as surf boards.

Abstract: An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the article of footwear are disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. Various warp or weft knitting processes, including flat knitting, may be utilized to form the textile element.

Abstract: An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the article of footwear are disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. The textile element may also have a first area and a second area with a unitary construction with varying stitch configurations. The upper may also incorporate longitudinal ribs extending along the lateral and/or medial sides of the upper. Various warp knitting or weft knitting processes may be utilized to form the textile element.

Abstract: A method of knitting a knitted component for an article of footwear includes performing a pass of at least one yarn feeder along a longitudinal axis relative to first and second needle beds of a knitting machine. The method includes feeding at least one yarn with the at least one feeder during the pass. The method also includes forming, during the pass, a plurality of first loops with the first needles to define a first portion of the knitted component. The method further includes forming, during the pass, a plurality of second loops with the second needles to define a second portion of the knitted component. The first portion defines a medial side of an upper for the article of footwear. Additionally, the second portion defines a lateral side of the upper for the article of footwear.

Abstract: An article of footwear incorporates a seamless bootie or textile upper formed from a knitted component removed from a knitted textile element of unitary warp knit construction. The knitted component may include a first knitted component portion in the form of a seamless bootie and a second knitted component portion associated with the first knitted component portion. In some embodiments the second knitted component portion may be tucked-in or folded into a pocket of first knitted component portion, such as a knitted dynamic fit component portion or a knitted tongue component portion. In some embodiments the second kitted component portion may be wrapped around at least part of the first knitted component portion.

Abstract: An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the article of footwear are disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. The textile element may have a first area with a first knit construction and a second area with a second knit construction. Various warp or weft knitting processes, including circular knitting, may be utilized to form the textile element.

Abstract: An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the article of footwear are disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. Various warp or weft knitting processes, including circular knitting, may be utilized to form the textile element. The textile element may be removed from a circular-knit tubular structure having two textile elements.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper with a knitted component formed of unitary knit construction. The knitted component has a first edge and a second edge. The knitted component also includes a base portion configured to be disposed adjacent the sole structure and to be disposed under a foot. The knitted component further includes a heel portion, a forefoot portion, a medial portion, and a lateral portion. The knitted component additionally includes a collar with a rim. The second edge is joined to the first edge at a seam. The seam has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is located generally at the rim of the collar on one of the medial side and the lateral side of the upper. The second end is spaced from the first end.

Abstract: An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the article of footwear are disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. The textile element may have apertures formed by omitting stitches and non-textile elements on the lateral side and in the heel area. Various warp or weft knitting processes, including circular knitting, may be utilized to form the textile element.

Abstract: An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the article of footwear are disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. The textile element may comprise one or more of an inner layer, outer layer, or intermediate layer of the upper. Various warp or weft knitting processes, including circular knitting, may be utilized to form the textile element.

Abstract: An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the article of footwear are disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. The textile element may have a first area with a first property and a second area with a second property. Various warp or weft knitting processes, including flat knitting, may be utilized to form the textile element.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of making a knitted shoe component are described herein. In some embodiments, a method comprises knitting one or more fibers to form a toe portion; knitting one or more fibers to form a first wing portion; and knitting one or more fibers to form a second wing portion. The first and second wing portions extend from the toe portion and are knittingly connected to the toe portion. The method further comprises reducing the lateral separation between the first and second wing portions from an initial separation distance to a knitting separation distance such that the wing portions can be knitted together to form a seamless heel portion of the shoe component, including using a series of stitch transfer, racking, and knitting steps.

Abstract: An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the article of footwear are disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. The textile element may also have a first area and a second area with a unitary construction with varying properties. In some aspects, the properties comprise different yarn types. Various warp or weft knitting processes, including circular knitting, may be utilized to form the textile element.

Abstract: An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the article of footwear are disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. The textile element may comprise one or more of an inner layer, outer layer, or intermediate layer of the upper. Various warp or weft knitting processes, including flat knitting, may be utilized to form the textile element.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure. The article of footwear further includes a first member that extends away from the sole structure. The first member at least partially defines a medial side and a lateral side of the article of footwear. Moreover, the second member has a body, a first support arm, and a second support arm. The body is attached to the first member such that the first member and the body cooperate to define a void that is configured to receive a foot. The body is also attached to the sole structure. The first support arm is attached to the first member on the medial side, and the second support arm is attached to the first member on the lateral side.

Abstract: A sole structure that includes recessed portions. The recessed portions are arranged such that the sole structure has auxetic properties. In some embodiments, sipes extend to the recessed portions. Additionally, the sole structure may include a central portion having auxetic properties and a peripheral portion.

Abstract: An article of footwear with an integral upper and sole and a method of assembling the article of footwear are disclosed. The method includes folding the article of footwear from a flat configuration and attaching top and bottom lateral edges to form the article of footwear. A kit of parts containing an article of footwear with an integral upper and sole and a set of instructions is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a shoe upper with high productivity in which a reinforcing section can be easily formed at the position of the heel or the toe, and a method for producing the same. A shoe upper (1) in which an instep cover section (3) and a sole cover section (2) are integrally knitted in a seamless manner is provided. The shoe upper (1) includes a pocket section (4) formed extending over a left side portion and a right side portion of the shoe upper (1) at least at a position of a heel or a toe of the shoe upper (1). The pocket section (4) is configured by an outer side knitted fabric portion (40) configured with a part of the instep cover section (3), and an inner side knitted fabric portion (49) directly connected to the sole cover section (2) and entered to the inner side of the outer side knitted fabric portion (40). A pocket opening (4i), which is an opening of the pocket section (4), opens at the side of the sole cover section (2).

Abstract: At least one invention pertains to an article of footwear having a foot-receiving portion and a sole portion attached via at least one binding element. In one aspect, an article of footwear includes a foot-receiving portion configured to extend over a portion of a foot of a wearer, and the foot-receiving portion being configured to extend to medial and lateral side of the foot, and the foot-receiving portion including a binding element. A sole portion having a top surface for contacting the foot and a lower surface for a least a portion provided ground engagement. A plurality of apertures extending through the top surface and lower surface, the apertures are configured to receive the binding element therein to attach the foot-receiving portion to the sole portion.

Abstract: An article of footwear with a sole and a collapsible upper attached to sole. The collapsible upper includes a first portion and a second portion which is below the first portion and extends from the sole to the first portion. Further, the collapsible upper also includes a seam which is positioned above the sole and is not in contact the sole. The seam joins substantially the entire perimeter of the first portion with substantially the perimeter of the second portion. Additionally, when the upper is in a collapsed state, the seam becomes the widest points of the article of footwear and defines the perimeter of the article of footwear.

Abstract: Multiple shoe types are made from a plurality of generic molded base frames including a midsole and at least one upper portion integrally molded together. A first set of upper components is provided for forming a first shoe type secured to a first portion of the base frames and a second set of upper components is provided for forming a second shoe type secured to a second portion of the base frames. The upper portion that is integrally molded with the midsole may be a forefoot panel or a quarter. The various types formed from the generic frame include sneakers, backless shoes, slip-ons, skate shoes and boots. The generic unitary molded frame construction substantially reduces the cost of manufacture.

Abstract: At least one invention pertains to an article of footwear having a foot-receiving portion and a sole portion attached via at least one binding element. In one aspect, an article of footwear includes a foot-receiving portion configured to extend over a portion of a foot of a wearer, and the foot-receiving portion being configured to extend to medial and lateral side of the foot, and the foot-receiving portion including a binding element. A sole portion having a top surface for contacting the foot and a lower surface for a least a portion provided ground engagement. A plurality of apertures extending through the top surface and lower surface, the apertures are configured to receive the binding element therein to attach the foot-receiving portion to the sole portion.

Abstract: An insole is described that can be placed with an insole receiving area of a slipper. The insole can be prepared by compression molding a structure comprising a foam layer having a first foam side and a second foam side. The insole includes a heel region, an arch region, and a toe region. The heel region includes a heel cushioning portion and a heel perimeter portion. The heel perimeter portion includes a retaining wall that extends above the top surface of the heel cushioning portion. The arch region includes an arch cushioning portion and an arch perimeter portion. The arch perimeter portion includes an arch support that extends above the top surface of the arch cushioning portion. The toe region includes a toe cushioning portion and a toe perimeter portion. A slipper and a method for manufacturing a slipper are described.

Abstract: The invention is a protective hand glove made of an elastomeric composition, which comprises a mitten (10) having an orifice (15) in the bottom (20) adapted for the engagement of a thumb. This mitten (10) is made from a styrenic block copolymer and oil. The styrenic block copolymer and oil have a Shore 00 hardness of greater than or equal to 10.

Abstract: An outsole for a shoe, especially a house slipper, has an outer layer constituted of a fabric material, and a backing layer constituted of a shape-retaining, moldable material. The fabric layer and the backing layer are molded integrally together to provide the outsole with increased slip resistance, quieter usage and increased shape retention.

Abstract: An insole is described that can be placed with an insole receiving area of a slipper. The insole can be prepared by compression molding a structure comprising a foam layer having a first foam side and a second foam side. The insole includes a heel region, an arch region, and a toe region. The heel region includes a heel cushioning portion and a heel perimeter portion. The heel perimeter portion includes a retaining wall that extends above the top surface of the heel cushioning portion. The arch region includes an arch cushioning portion and an arch perimeter portion. The arch perimeter portion includes an arch support that extends above the top surface of the arch cushioning portion. The toe region includes a toe cushioning portion and a toe perimeter portion. A slipper and a method for manufacturing a slipper are described.

Abstract: An outsole for a shoe, especially a house slipper, has an outer layer constituted of a fabric material, and a backing layer constituted of a shape-retaining, moldable material. The fabric layer and the backing layer are molded integrally together to provide the outsole with increased slip resistance, quieter usage and increased shape retention.

Abstract: An insole is described that can be placed with an insole receiving area of a slipper. The insole can be prepared by compression molding a structure comprising a foam layer having a first foam side and a second foam side. The insole includes a heel region, an arch region, and a toe region. The heel region includes a heel cushioning portion and a heel perimeter portion. The heel perimeter portion includes a retaining wall that extends above the top surface of the heel cushioning portion. The arch region includes an arch cushioning portion and an arch perimeter portion. The arch perimeter portion includes an arch support that extends above the top surface of the arch cushioning portion. The toe region includes a toe cushioning portion and a toe perimeter portion. A slipper and a method for manufacturing a slipper are described.

Abstract: The thermal foot cover is an article of footwear to be worn when the wearer's foot is subjected to cold temperatures. The thermal foot cover has an upper cover portion attached to a bottom panel to define a cavity for insertion of a wearer's shoe-encased or boot-encased foot or a wearer's foot. The upper cover portion and the bottom panel are made from a material comprising an outer covering, a radiant barrier and a inner covering where the radiant barrier is sandwiched between the outer cover and the inner cover. The radiant barrier is the insulation system of the thermal foot cover, which reflects the wearer's body heat back inside the footwear and keeps the wearer's feet warm. The thermal foot cover is flexible, lightweight and readily washable due to the use of the radiant barrier as the insulation system.

Abstract: An insole is described that can be placed with an insole receiving area of a slipper. The insole can be prepared by molding a structure comprising a foam layer having a first foam side and a second foam side. The insole includes a heel region, an arch region, and a toe region. The heel region includes a heel cushioning portion and a heel perimeter portion. The heel perimeter portion includes a retaining wall that extends above the top surface of the heel cushioning portion. The arch region includes an arch cushioning portion and an arch perimeter portion. The arch perimeter portion includes an arch support that extends above the top surface of the arch cushioning portion. The toe region includes a toe cushioning portion and a toe perimeter portion. A slipper and a method for manufacturing a slipper are described.