Abstract: The invention pertains to an article of footwear having a backtab pull and a tongue pull on an upper of the article of footwear. The backtab pull and tongue pull assist the wearer in the donning and removing of an article of footwear, in particular an athletic shoe having a molded dynamic fit. The backtab pull includes a strap affixed to the posterior of the article of footwear and the tongue pull includes at least one hole, and preferably two holes, incorporated into an extended tongue portion of the upper.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ski boot including an outer member and an inner member inserted therein, in which a carrying hanger is provided in a prescribed position on the outer member and has a taken-out handle so that the hanger can be taken out from the outer member and grasped by the hand of a person for him or her to carry the boot as the hanger remains coupled with the outer member.

Abstract: A system for allowing a shoe wearer to lean forwardly beyond his center of gravity by virtue of wearing a specially designed pair of shoes which will engage with a hitch member movably projectable through a stage surface. The shoes have a specially designed heel slot which can be detachably engaged with the hitch member by simply sliding the shoe wearer's foot forward, thereby engaging with the hitch member.

Abstract: A concrete worker's below-the-knee boot is provided with a pocket and a flap to prevent concrete-covered tools from contacting the worker's leg skin and to keep the tools handy. The pocket is open at the top and bottom to permit easy insertion of a tool and to allow concrete on the tool to drain off. The flap can be folded out above the boot where the tool is longer than the boot.

Abstract: A weighted athletic, training or sport shoe is disclosed. In the present invention, a weight is distributed over the entire bottom of the athletic shoe, but inside the shoe. The weight comprises a large number of small metal spheres of less than 1 mm diameter, arranged in a lattice grid matrix which is molded to the sole and sandwiched between the inner and outer sole of the shoe. From the outside, the shoe appears to be a stylish athletic shoe. The bottom of the shoe is flexible and comfortable because of the method of integrating the weight.

Abstract: A climbing apparatus is provided for climbing ferromagnetic surfaces, such as storage tanks and steel frame structures. A magnet assembly is rotatably mounted in a frame assembly. The frame assembly provides a pair of cam surfaces having different dimensions so that, when the frame is rotated, the cam surfaces contact the ferromagnetic surface to separate the magnet assembly from the surface. The different cam dimensions enable one side of the magnet at a time to be detached from the surface to reduce the effort needed to disengage the climbing apparatus. The cam surface also provides for smoothly attaching the apparatus. A hardened dowel pin is also attached to the frame and the pointed end of the dowel engages the surface when the magnet is attached to the surface to prevent downward sliding movement of the assembly under the weight of the user.

Abstract: The apparatus is arranged to provide for a lotion container contained within an upper and lower shoe sole portion, wherein the sole portion includes supporting bands for mounting the container to an individual's foot. Confronting and mirror image cavities within the upper and lower sole portions receive a fluid bladder therewithin. A modification of the invention includes the upper and lower sole portion separable relative to one another to permit selective replacement of the fluid bladder.

Abstract: A closure apparatus secured to opposing sides relative to a shoe opening overlying the tongue includes a respective right and left plate member to include a belt anchor and belt buckle respectively mounting a flexible belt web therebetween, wherein the belt web is mounted pivotally to the belt anchor and received through the belt buckle to secure the belt web in an adjustable manner through the buckle. The belt anchor and belt buckle are mounted to conventional shoe lace apertures directed through respective right and left flaps relative to the shoe opening to pivotally secure the buckle and anchor thereto.

Abstract: An improved and safer roller skate having a braking assembly operable against the wheels, engaged when a user's toes are curled in the skate boot, moving a toe actuator attached to an external slide bar assembly, that slides toward the heel with attached brake pads which in turn engage with the wheels. A resilient compressible member normally holds the brake pads away from the wheels in a nonbraking position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ski boot including an outer member and an inner member inserted therein, in which a carrying hanger is provided in a prescribed position on the outer member and has a taken-out handle so that the hanger can be taken out from the outer member and grasped by the hand of a person for him or her to carry the boot as the hanger remains coupled with the outer member.

Abstract: Snowshoes that have been designed to allow one shoe to be reversed, inverted and assembled onto the second, forming a container for storage of various items of emergency equipment. Constructed for longterm storage, such as in the trunk of a car or aboard a private plane, design includes a movable bracket to receive a field expedient handle for utilization as an emergency snow removal device.

Abstract: A ski boot for lessening the incidence of knee injuries when the boot exerts a forward directional force on the skier's leg and includes a foot portion and a leg element. The foot portion and the leg element are in a first essentially rigid support position for the foot and lower leg for normal operative skiing position. Releasing means changes the rigid support position for the foot and the lower leg on application of a predetermined level of force by the boot on the wearer. Movement of one element of the leg portion permits the lower leg and foot of the wearer to adopt a second position different to the relative fixed location for normal skiing.

Abstract: An improved shoe pocket for carrying keys, spare change or the like on shoes includes a pocket formed between front and back faces of a sheet material. The pocket includes a flap portion which securely closes the pocket and is easily openable upon application of digital pull apart forces. The pocket is mounted to the shoe by way of two pairs of eyelets which permit the passage of a shoelace therethrough. An additional, double width eyelet in the back portion of the pocket permits the laces to continue to be threaded on the shoe side flaps and secured in a knot well above the pocket top flap without interfering therewith.

Abstract: A shoe consisting of an outsole and an upper, especially a children's shoe, is configured so that in a simple, inexpensive and unobtrusive way, it is possible to regularly accurately monitor or measure the distance of the toe tips of a wearer from a portion of the upper adjacent to the tip of the outsole to see in good time whether the shoe has become too small. This is achieved in that a transparent area (3) is placed within outsole (1) and extends at least over about the front third of the outsole (1). The front part of transparent area (3) serves as a support for calibrated markings (6, 7).

Abstract: A shoe having an upper portion and a sole-and-toe portion which portions are releasably joined together by a male/female track attachment device. The female track is attached to the upper and extends the entire length of the bottom portion of upper. The male track is attached to the sole and is embedded in the sole wall assembly. The bead of the male track is elevated above the sole wall in position to receive the female track. The male track begins at the toe, extends around the heel and terminates at the toe. The upper is connected to the sole by threading the female track through the male track, around the heel until the ends of female track align with the ends of male track.

Abstract: Novel footwear upon the upper front portion of which an animated face with movable eyes is located. The footwear comprises an inner sole, an outer sole, and an upper shoe surface affixed together in a wearable relationship, with an arch-shaped support member located in a forward interior portion of the footwear. The upper portion of the arch is in contact with the interior of the upper shoe surface, and its opposite lower edges are affixed to edge portions of the outer sole. The inner sole is interrupted at a forward location generally corresponding to the location of the arch, and an upwardly biased treadle member is operatively disposed at such interrupted location. Upon the forward part of the foot of the user, on occasion, entering such arch member and extending therethrough, the ball of the foot normally rests on the treadle.

Abstract: A multi-functional personnel restraint, particularly suited for use by workers in a substantially zero gravity environment comprises a stationary track defined by two rails which are spring biased to a minimum spacing position. The rails respectively carry a pair of parallel, opposed grooves on their inner surfaces. The grooves are engagable by cleats attached to the bottoms of the shoes of the person requiring restraint. The cleats are engagable with the grooves by a pivotal movement in a vertical plane, thus substantially balancing vertical forces imparted on the shoe or shoes during the groove insertion movement.

Abstract: A shoe strap is arranged for securement to an existing shoe construction wherein the shoe strap includes a flexible surrounding strap for securement about an ankle of an individual with a securement buckle portion mounted cooperatively at forward terminal ends of the surrounding strap. A downwardly extending rigid leg includes a mounting for one of a plurality of fastener members for securement and cooperation with an associated shoe. The fastener members are adhesively or mechanically mounted to the downwardly extending leg and include a flexible pad to be positioned overlying the inner sole of the associated shoe, a clamp member, a tooth engagement member for engagement with the medial rear seam of the shoe, or alternatively the use of mechanical fasteners such as projections engageable within teeth mounted within the shoe or an array of hook and loop fasteners for securement to a companion hook and loop fasteners strip securable to the shoe.

Abstract: An attachment that connects a decorative logo to footwear. The logo is displayed along the lower leg outside the pant leg. The logo can be attached to either a shoe or a boot. The attachment takes the form of a U-shaped holder when being attached to a boot and the form of a L-shaped holder when being attached to a shoe. The attachment includes a vertical strip of plastic which projects upward from the footwear towards the knee on the outside of the pant leg. It is on top of this vertical strip that the decorative logo is placed. The logo can be displayed at various heights by varying the length of the vertical strip and the attachment is painted so that it blends into the background of the pant leg. Another benefit provided by the attachment is that it restrains the pant leg at a height above ground level preventing the soiling of the pant leg.

Abstract: Footwear for use by hunters. The footwear includes a rubber overshoe to be worn over a boot worn by the hunter with the sole of the boot being covered by the overshoe whereby the boot will not come in contact with the ground as the hunter walks. A scent dispenser is provided which is attached to the overshoe for dispensing scent on the ground as the hunter walks. The scent dispenser is isolated from the boot so that the overshoe and dispenser may be removed from the boot and the boot worn without emitting scent. The rubber overshoe isolates the boot from the ground so that if the boot is contaminated by human scents, it will not be emitted to the ground.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for providing insect repellent characteristics to a wide variety of wearing apparel. Elongated flexible insect repellent strips are secured to or retained in cavities in various articles of apparel to repel insects from the person wearing such apparel. The systems and techniques are applicable to all types of wearing apparel such as stockings, shoes, trousers, hats, shirts, etc.

Abstract: A disposable sandal is adapted to apply an advertising message repeatedly into sandy soil at a beach or the like. The sandal is formed of sheet material, and a pair of blind-ended slits in the sheet material define an elongate stem and a strap integral with and extending to either side of the stem. The sheet material is sufficiently flexible that the stem and strap can be raised by hand from the general plane of the sheet material. The stem is received between the wearer's toes and the strap is fitted over the wearer's foot to retain the sandal. The sandal has a lower exposed surface with projections defining a mirror image of the advertising message. The projections are sufficiently large that the advertising message is stamped repeatedly into the soil in a form intelligible to the unassisted human eye, as the wearer walks.

Abstract: A pair of design elements are suitable for display within the interior of a left and right shoe which make up a pair of children's shoes to aid the child in aligning the shoes for proper fitting onto the correct feet. The individual design elements are themselves complete and, further, are not indicators of proper alignment without their association with a picture story which may comprise a simple declarative sentence such that a mental step is required by the child in order to ascertain that the shoes are properly aligned. This picture story also requires the child to make a visual and directional alignment of the design elements in a left to right orientation which aids the child in gaining reading skills.

Abstract: Footwear consisting of a sandal having a plenum adapted to receive the person's foot as well as sand or other granular material, said sand providing a natural environment walking surface between the bottom of the person's foot and the sandal mid-sole, the footwear also having a bottom sole to engage the ground, the bottom sole a part of a lower surrounding cup-like shell with upraised heel part adapted to receive and secure the mid-sole, the upper rim portions of the lower shell providing means for securing a toe strap, heel strap, and instep strap, the instep strap and toe strap being loose and not contacting the foot while the person is standing but contracting the foot when the footwear is lifted up along with the foot. The footwear completely encloses the person's foot by continuing above the forward portion of the lower shell with an upper cover, and finally a plastic top closure material to engage the person's ankle.

Abstract: A shoe includes a storage pocket and a carrying bag either permanently or detachably attached to the shoe such that the carrying bag can be stored in the storage pocket when not in use or, when needed, can be extended away from the storage pocket and then turned inside out so that the shoe will be contained therein. The carrying bag is made of flexible material and is large enough to carry a companion shoe. The carrying bag can include a tie cord to close the mouth thereof when desired.

Abstract: A boot cover fits around the top of a boot and closes the gap or space between the top edge of the boot and the cover. In one form, the cover is made from plastic and has a groove that fits around the top edge of the boot. In another form, the cover comprises a deformable insert made of plastic, or like a bag filled with soft foam, plastic, with a skirt which can be removed to cover the opening at the boot edge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ski boot with a device for securing the foot of the skier. The device has the peculiarity of comprising an minicompressor associated with the boot, which can be connected to an electrical power source and operated by controls to feed compressed fluid into an inflatable chamber which can draw close to the foot of the skier for the securing thereof in said boot.

Abstract: Footwear with elastomeric or plastomeric soles, such as boots, sports footwear or leisure footwear, has distinguishing elements or decorations attached to it. The elements comprise a flanged body held by means of a flexible retaining element, which may be part of the footwear itself, which has an aperture therein for allowing the body to be visible while retaining the flange. The elements may be reflective, fluorescent, phosphorescent or photoluminescent.

Abstract: A tap for attachment to a tap dancing shoe is disclosed. The tap includes pickup means for converting the mechanical vibrational energy generated by the tap striking the floor into a substantially undistorted electrical signal suitable for remote processing and amplification. Also disclosed is a wireless radio transmission system adapted to be carried by a dancer using the shoe whereby the electrical signals picked up by the pickup means are transmitted to a remote receiver/amplifier unit.

Abstract: A boot provided with a depending rear heel is provided and a rearwardly opening front-to-rear extending blind cavity is defined within the heel. A spur including an elongated shank having first and second end portions is provided and the first end portion of the shank of the spur is releasably latchingly receivable within the cavity defined in the boot. In addition, a decorative button is provided for releasable snap fitting engagement in the rear end of the cavity after the first end portion of the shank of the spur has been removed from the cavity.

Abstract: A system for connecting mated pairs of shoes to prevent separation and possible mismatching when offered for sale in self-service stores. According to the system, the shoes at the time of manufacture are provided with a fastening tab inside the shoe. The tab comprises a length of narrow strong sheet material having a hole or loop at one end for receiving a fastening filament. The fastening tab is folded and disposed with one portion having the hole or loop at its end extending vertically up from the sole along the inside wall of the inner portion of the shoe but not attached to the shoe wall. The other portion of the fastener tab is secured by means of strong adhesive, stitching, staples, or all three, to the bottom sole of the shoe and the inner sole applied on top of the adhered portion of the fastening tab.

Abstract: There is provided a mine-field shoe which is an inflatable multi-compartment air cushion having when inflated, at least one flexible substantially flat, ground-contacting surface, at least one rigid tread member attachable to an upper surface of the air cushion, and means for attaching the mine-field shoe to a boot. Each of the compartments of said air cushion communicates with at least one other compartment.

Abstract: The heel of the shoe, sneaker or other footwear is provided with a Velcro patch at the heel, with the Velcro patch having a cut-out window to accommodate an identification tag, label or health information card, with the label in the cut-out and the Velcro attached to the heel of the shoe being overlain with a releasably-attached flap having Velcro which mates with the shoe-mounted Velcro to form a fluid tight seal about the tag or indicia-carrying label, the heel mounting and the Velcro seal preventing the tag from coming loose from the shoe due to the interaction of the Velcro parts and due to the fact that the heel provides the least flexible area and the least wear receiving area for the shoe. The identity of the individual and other information on the tag is obtained from lifting the flap.

Abstract: Boots, particularly cowboy boots, having a looped pullstrap. A reinforced and welted pullstrap is personalized by the attachment of a pullstrap plate to the pullstrap exterior, such that a name panel insert may be inscribed with the wearer's name and affixed to the pullstrap plate.

Abstract: A combination boot and lockable storage means. The combination comprises a boot having an opening therein for insertion of a foot. A slide closure means is provided which is attached to the sides of the opening for closing the opening. A securing means is provided for securing the slide of the fastener to the boot when the closure means is closed. A pendant means cooperatively engages the securing means for suspending the boot from a secure location by a cable means and locking the securing means. The boot is useful, for example, in a skiing environment wherein one wears the boot to the ski location, removes the boots, stores valuables therein and, then closes the opening in the boot and secures and locks the boot by the cable means to a secure location.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of conducting continuous or closely spaced buried structure-to-soil electrical surveys uses a soil contact cell adapted to be worn on the bottom of the walking field boots of a surveyor walking over the right-of-way of the buried structure such as an underground pipeline. The cell is in the form of a sandal which may readily be secured to and removed from the bottom of the boot. The cell includes an impervious upper plate and a pervious lower ground contacting flexible sole plate forming with the upper plate a flat chamber which may be filled with a loose silica sand fill or sponge material. A copper rod or strap is imbedded in the material and electrically connected through a meter carried by the surveyor to the structure through a length of economically disposable wire.

Abstract: The invention concerns a composite sole for use in safety footwear, as well as a combination heel and sole and a complete article of footwear, the composite sole comprising an inner sole of electrically conducting material, and a thin flexible outer sole up to about 8 mm thick of electrically conducting material, said outer sole being spaced from the inner sole and connected thereto at a plurality of positions in an electrically conducting manner. Electrically conducting plastics spacer plugs can be used as the connection between the inner and outer soles.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fastener suitable for use in attaching a plastic heel to a shoe. The fastener comprises a generally flat head portion and at least three shank portions extending from the head portion. Each shank portion has at least one aperture therein into which melted or softened plastic material of the heel can flow and upon solidification, lock the fastener to the heel.

Abstract: A pair of slippers each of which, in preferred form, has one-half of a slide fastener connected around substantially the entire periphery of the slipper's sole. The slide fastener half remains connected to each slipper while the slippers are being worn. To store the slippers, the slippers are oriented in toe-to-toe position, and in upper-to-upper faced relation, the slide fastener halves on the slippers being thereafter jointed to connect the two slippers together. In this storage configuration, the slipper soles constitute the outer side walls of the package.

Abstract: A scent dispersing means, e.g., for deer lure, comprising an absorbent pad adapted to be impregnated with scent and held within a pocket in a boot, the pocket having ventilating means for communicating the scent to the air. In preferred embodiments the pad is resilient and the pocket is located above the heel in the backstrap so as to flex as the wearer walks.

Abstract: A sock for wearing on the feet which is restrained from creeping between the toes, when worn in the shoe of the invention. The forward external toe section of the sock is fitted with a Velcro patch of a size to engage a Velcro patch fastened inside the forward toe section of the shoe. When the sock and shoe are worn together, the Velcro sections attach to each other maintaining the toe section of the sock in the forward section of the shoe and restraining the forward section of the sock from creeping between the toes of the wearer.