Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a first sole plate that includes a forefoot region, a foot-receiving surface, and a lower surface opposite the foot-receiving surface. The first sole plate has a plurality of slots including a first slot, and a second slot rearward of the first slot. The plurality of slots is disposed in the forefoot region and extends generally transversely and entirely through the first sole plate from the foot-receiving surface to the lower surface. The sole structure includes at least one rib, referred to as a first rib, disposed between the first slot and the second slot. The sole structure also includes a second sole plate secured to the lower surface of the first sole plate both forward of the plurality of slots and rearward of the plurality of slots. The second sole plate is detached from the first rib.

Abstract: A shoe comprises a sole and an upper. The sole comprises a lower sole member and an upper sole member. The lower sole member includes a plurality of sipes and a longitudinal cavity. The longitudinal cavity is at least in a sole midfoot region and extends downwardly from a top surface of the lower sole member. The plurality of sipes extend upwardly from the bottom surface of the lower sole member and intersect the longitudinal cavity such that the plurality of sipes and the longitudinal cavity combine to define a plurality of through openings. The upper sole member is within the cavity and covers the plurality of through openings.

Abstract: A method of making a sole for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes steps of attaching a double sided acrylic adhesive film to a composite plate. The composite plate is then attached to an outer member of the article of footwear using the acrylic adhesive film.

Abstract: A waterproof and breathable sole for shoes, including a lower layer, including at least one large through hole. Above the lower layer, a mesh is provided, arranged to overlap at least the large through hole. A membrane made of a material that is impermeable to water and permeable to water vapor is associated in an upward region with respect to the mesh at least at the large hole. The membrane is joined hermetically at least perimetrically to at least one component of the sole so as to avoid liquid rise through the perimeter of the large hole. A perforated upper layer is arranged above the membrane. The lower layer is overmolded on the mesh and partially incorporates the mesh.

Abstract: Methods for making footwear products include: (a) applying cement to a surface of an upper and/or midsole; (b) cooling the upper and/or midsole so that these parts will move relative to one another despite the cement's presence; and (c) placing the midsole in the upper. Additional methods include: (a) providing an upper having an interior chamber; (b) placing a prelast member including a midsole allowance part into the chamber; (c) removing the prelast member; and (d) placing a midsole in the chamber. The upper and/or midsole may have cement applied thereto and may be cooled before the insertion step, as described above. When sufficiently cooled, the cement will not immediately bind the parts contacting it, but it will allow relative movement of these parts. After the midsole is positioned in the upper, the assembly may be heated to activate the cement and fix the parts together.

Abstract: A present invention shaft arrangement for footwear comprises a shaft bottom having a water vapor permeable installation sole and having a shaft bottom functional layer laminate and a shaft region having an outer material ply and having a liner ply. The sole sided shaft end region is connected to the shaft bottom, and there is provided at least one suction element which extends from a region between the outer material ply and the liner ply of the shaft region into a region underneath the shaft bottom functional layer laminate in order that moisture be transported away from the region between the outer material ply and the liner ply of the shaft region into the region underneath the shaft bottom functional layer laminate.

Abstract: A method of making a sole for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes steps of attaching a double sided acrylic adhesive film to a composite plate. The composite plate is then attached to an outer member of the article of footwear using the acrylic adhesive film.

Abstract: An Ankle-Foot Orthosis, or AFO, has a vertical portion and a horizontal portion joined together. The horizontal portion is fixed to a shoe, which is selected by a user, by separating at least part of the sole such that the horizontal portion can be adhered near or between a midsole of the sole of a shoe. The horizontal portion provides the necessary structure needed to connect a shoe to the vertical portion of the AFO such that a user suffering with a weakness or deformity can walk with a more normal gait. In an alternate embodiment, the AFO is removable from a shoe such that it can be replaced onto the same or a different shoe.

Abstract: A vulc style and cupsole style footwear and a method for manufacturing the footwear are disclosed. The footwear includes a midsole that is directly attached to the upper. The midsole may be attached to the outsole by adhesive. In the method of manufacturing the footwear, the upper and an outsole are disposed a set distance apart. Polyurethane or other material for providing cushioning to the footwear is either injected between the upper and outsole or poured onto the outsole and the upper is traversed over the outsole so as to define the mold for defining the midsole. The polyurethane is directly attached to the upper and adhered to the outsole/cupsole.

Abstract: A shoe construction comprising an outsole constructed from a slip resistant material and a wedge shaped cushion member having a rounded and beveled shaped lower surface bonded to the outsole. A midsole body member is bonded to the cushion member having a torsion spring member secured to the midsole body member. The torsion member assists in stabilizing the shoe construction by directing an outer surface of the outsole to a preferred position, while the lower surface is constructed and arranged to provide a curved rocker-like surface whereby the outsole remains in contact with the ground, and requires muscle control, throughout a walking step.

Abstract: A method of forming an article of footwear includes injecting a first material into a first cavity of a mold assembly to form a sole assembly, injecting a second material into a second cavity of the mold assembly, a first last being suspended within the second cavity, to form an upper of the article of footwear about the first last. The upper and the sole assembly are positioned in contact with one another. The upper and the sole assembly are cured and bonded together to form an article of footwear. The article of footwear is removed from the mold assembly and from the first last and allowed to expand to a first size. The article of footwear is placed on a second last having a second size that is smaller than the first size, and heated and cooled until it shrinks to the second size.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite sole for a shoe, more particularly to an insert adhesively laminated to one or both of opposing upper and lower component to form the sole of an athletic shoe. The insert is adhesively incompatible with the upper and lower sole components and an adhesion promoter may be positioned between the insert and at least one of the upper and lower sole components to adhesively bond the insert to at least one or both of the upper and lower sole components.

Abstract: Methods for making footwear products include: (a) applying cement to a surface of an upper and/or midsole; (b) cooling the upper and/or midsole so that these parts will move relative to one another despite the cement's presence; and (c) placing the midsole in the upper. Additional methods include: (a) providing an upper having an interior chamber; (b) placing a prelast member including a midsole allowance part into the chamber; (c) removing the prelast member; and (d) placing a midsole in the chamber. The upper and/or midsole may have cement applied thereto and may be cooled before the insertion step, as described above. When sufficiently cooled, the cement will not immediately bind the parts contacting it, but it will allow relative movement of these parts. After the midsole is positioned in the upper, the assembly may be heated to activate the cement and fix the parts together.

Abstract: A sole structure of an article of footwear includes a foam element and a non-foam element with different compressibilities. The foam element is positioned adjacent to the non-foam element. The non-foam element may define a plurality of apertures, with ends of at least a portion of the apertures being located adjacent to a lower area of the foam element. The non-foam element may also form a protrusion that may be located in a central area of the non-foam element and extends into the foam element. In addition, a portion of the non-foam element that forms a side of the sole structure may define an indentation.

Abstract: A footwear item comprises an upper adapted to receive a foot of a wearer. A midsole is molded directly to the upper and defines a shoulder about the upper. The midsole is adapted to be connected to an outsole and comprises a stitch line on the shoulder of the midsole. A method for assembling the item of footwear is also provided.

Abstract: A method of making a sole for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes steps of attaching a double sided acrylic adhesive film to a composite plate. The composite plate is then attached to an outer member of the article of footwear using the acrylic adhesive film.

Abstract: A shoe sole and insole structure is disclosed. The sole comprises an upper sole and a lower sole; the lower sole has a plurality of through-holes thereon and includes a plurality of lock plugs inserted respectively inside the through-holes; the upper sole has the same number of lock bars on its undersurface. The upper sole directly laminates over the lower sole by inserting the lock bars into the through-holes and then securing the lock bars with lock plugs by inserting the lock plugs into the through-holes. The insole has a plurality of groove rings on its undersurface, each groove ring being disposed with a small through-hole, and further comprises a plurality of ladle discs respectively glued in the groove ring to form an insole with a plurality of air pockets.

Abstract: A footwear member is configured with an outer sole and an upper coupled together so as to define a forefoot area of and a rearfoot area of the footwear. An extending lip member couples the outer sole and the upper member and may extend from either one forming a non-visable or blind seam construction that may be further manipulated in multiple ways. The extending lip member or connection member are stitched together along a forefoot area of the assembled footwear and may optionally allow a portion of a tread member to be glued along a rearfoot area of the assembled footwear. The assembly presented enables optional construction techniques adaptable to a variety of fashion construction options.

Abstract: The invention relates to footwear comprising a shank and a sole construction having an outsole. The shank is constructed with an upper material and with a water-tight functional layer which at least partially lines the upper material on the inner side thereof. In addition, the shank comprises a shank end area which is situated on the side of the sole and which has an upper material end area and a functional layer end area. The functional layer end area comprises an area which requires sealing, and the outsole is glued to the shank end area by means of an outsole adhesive situated on said outsole. The outsole adhesive is formed by a reactive hot-melt adhesive at least in one outsole partial area located opposite the area of the functional end area which requires sealing. Said hot-melt adhesive leads to water impermeability when complete reacted.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing shoes is provided. The method includes preparing an upper and an outsole, applying an adhesive agent to the outer surface of an upper seal portion and the inner surface of an outsole seal portion, stitching together the outer surface of the upper seal portion and inner surface of the outsole seal portion, activating the adhesive agent by applying heat to the stitched seal portions, and molding the upper and the outsole by using a molding machine. Therefore, since the amount of the upper can be reduced and a separate insole is not necessary, the total weight of the shoes can also be reduced. The flexibility of shoes can also be enhanced.

Abstract: A boot that includes a sole and an outer upper having an impervious portion, with at least one outer reinforcing element assembled to the upper by cementing at least in the impervious portion thereof. Preferably, the reinforcing element includes a heel reinforcement and lateral tightening flaps.

Abstract: The invention relates to footwear comprising a shank (11) and a sole construction having an outsole (19). The shank (11) is constructed with an upper material (13) and with a water-tight functional layer (15) which at least partially lines the upper material (13) on the inner side thereof. In addition, the shank comprises a shank end area (61) which is situated on the side of the sole and which has an upper material end area (21) and a functional layer end area (23). The functional layer end area (23) comprises an area which requires sealing, and the outsole (19) is glued to the shank end area (61) by means of an outsole adhesive situated on said outsole. The outsole adhesive is formed by a reactive hot-melt adhesive is formed by a reactive hot-melt adhesive (33, 33a) at least in one outsole partial area located opposite the area of the functional end area (23) which requires sealing. Said hot-melt adhesive leads to water impermeability when completely reacted.

Abstract: A footwear construction including an upper to which a sole is to be attached. The upper has a peripheral edge, having an inner surface and an outer surface. A heat activatable adhesive impregnated substrate strip stitched to the outer surface of the peripheral edge whereby when the adhesive is activated a sole can be bonded thereto. A method for adhering an upper to a sole including applying a heat activatable adhesive to a substrate, attaching at least a portion of the upper and activating the adhesive.

Abstract: A one-piece boat-like shell for footwear constructed from an injection-molded sole to which a last cemented upper is secured. The last cemented upper includes a vamp and heel counter each comprising a sheet of water impermeable vinyl secured about the periphery of a insole board and secured to the sole by a double bonding process.

Abstract: In a process of making a shoe, a waterproof lining sleeve which has a top open end and a bottom open end is mounted inside the shoe by attaching the bottom open end of the lining sleeve to an inner surface of the upper above a bottom end of the upper, without extending the bottom open end of the lining sleeve to the bottom end of the upper and without providing any stitch on the bottom open end of the lining sleeve. The bottom open end of the lining sleeve is attached by applying an adhesive directly to at least one of the upper and the bottom open end of the lining sleeve.

Abstract: A precemented welt for shoe construction, and methods of making such a welt. The welt comprises a body section, and a solid adhesive surface layer which can be activated to form a bond. The adhesive does not activate at typical truck trailer temperatures, so the welt material can be easily shipped. In one embodiment, the adhesive comprises an aromatic polyurethane elastomer, which can be activated by heating the welt to a temperature of at least 225° F. for at least 30 seconds.