Abstract: A cushioning sole for footwear includes a heel portion, an opening, and a cushioning slide. The heel portion includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The opening extends vertically through the heel portion from the bottom surface to the top surface. The cushioning slide is disposed in the opening and extends out from the top surface and out from the bottom surface.

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 bioabsorbable scaffold composed of a multilayer structure of alternating layers of different polymers is disclosed. The multilayer structure can have 20 to 1000 layers and the individual thickness of the layers can be 0.2 to 5 microns. A method of making the scaffold including a layer multiplying extrusion process is disclosed.

Abstract: An efficient system to heat the insole of a heated insole of a shoe in which the Intelligent Circuit (IC) for a flat lithium battery is located outside the shoe and the placement of the heater for the insole is between more efficient heat insulation and heat conducting members.

Abstract: A shock absorbing shoe with improved assembly and operational performance is provided. The shock absorbing shoe includes: an outsole; an upper sole arranged on the outsole and having a guide portion; a support unit including: a first support body connected to the outsole; and a second support body connected to the upper sole and having a guide part corresponding to the guide portion; an elastic member arranged between the first and second support bodies of the support unit; and a supporting member connected to the first and second support bodies of the support unit, the supporting member being movable upward and downward along the guide portion and the guide part of the second support body.

Abstract: A footwear sole includes a shank with a honeycomb reinforcement structure, heel aperture and rib receptacle in the bottom side of a front region of the shank. A fabric sheath surrounds the shank. Polymers are formed in the rib receptacle, in the heel aperture and on the top side of the shank. A foot bed insert is used with the shank. The foot bed insert includes a fabric upper layer, a foam forefoot component, a foam matrix connected to the foam forefoot component, a heel cradle and a heel strike region.

Abstract: An article of footwear, such as a shoe including an outer sole assembly and an upper, the outer sole assembly extending length-wise from a rear end to a front end, and width-wise between a lateral side and a medial side, the outer sole assembly having a surface for contact with the ground, the outer sole assembly including a wear layer provided to take support on the ground, the wear layer having at least one through-opening, the outer sole assembly including at least one reinforcing layer arranged between the wear layer and the upper, the reinforcing layer extending at least in the area of the opening. A damping layer is arranged between the wear layer and the reinforcing layer.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprises a sole structure having a cushioning component defining an enclosed, fluid-filled chamber. The cushioning component has a top wall, a bottom wall, a medial side wall, and a lateral side wall. The cushioning component includes a unitary outsole having a bottom portion, a medial side portion, and a lateral side portion. The bottom portion is bonded to the bottom wall, the medial side portion is bonded to the medial side wall, and the lateral side portion is bonded to the lateral side wall of the cushioning component. A method of manufacturing includes disposing the first and second polymer sheets and the outsole in a mold assembly and thermally bonding the outsole to the second polymer sheet, and the first and second polymer sheets to one another to form a chamber.

Abstract: An article of footwear including an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper and including a support assembly having an upper member and a lower member spaced from the upper member. A first layer is positioned beneath and in contact with the upper member and has a wave shaped profile with a plurality of first wave crests and first wave troughs. A second layer is positioned above the lower member and has a wave shaped profile with a plurality of second wave crests and second wave troughs.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper; a midsole positioned beneath the upper and including a plurality of support members, at least one support member being formed of a lower portion formed of a first material, and an upper portion positioned above the lower portion and formed of a second material, the second material having a higher resiliency than that of the first material.

Abstract: Sole structures for articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include: (a) an outsole component; (b) a midsole component engaged with the outsole component, wherein the midsole component includes at least one opening or receptacle; (c) at least one fluid-filled bladder system or foam system provided in the opening or receptacle; and/or (d) a rigid plate system including one or more rigid plates overlaying the fluid-filled bladder or foam system(s). The rigid plate(s) may be fixed directly to the midsole component or the rigid plate(s) may rest on the fluid-filled bladder(s) or foam somewhat above the surface of the midsole component when the sole structure is in an uncompressed condition. Articles of footwear and methods of making sole structures and articles of footwear including such sole structures also are described.

Abstract: An improved sole for a high heel shoe comprising a bottom member, support member and top member. The top member can be provided with an upper cavity for the receipt of a gel or other cushioning member. The support member extends downward from the top member and provides the downwardly extending female receiving ports for fasteners used to secure the bottom member to the support member. A plurality of springs are positioned within an internal chamber created by the attachment of the bottom member to the support member. A slip resistance sole can be provided on the bottom surface of the bottom member. A shoe upper and gel cover are secured to the top member. The cushioning gel and the springs provide additional comfort to the wearer when walking or standing in the shoe. A soft padding material can be secured to the inner surface of the shoe upper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for helping the movements of a user's foot, said foot being able to be received in a footwear portion, the front end of which is pivotably mounted relative to a sliding board or to walking equipment, with the system comprising a spring which can be secured to the sliding board or to the walking equipment so as to be applied to a bearing zone of the footwear portion by exerting a pressure on said bearing zone when the bearing zone is moved closer to the sliding board or to the walking equipment, characterized in that it comprises a binding device which can be removed from the spring, with the binding device being able to be fastened to a binding zone of the sliding board or of the walking equipment.

Abstract: A shoe is configured to be worn on a user's foot and includes an upper and a sole coupled to the upper. The sole includes an insole, a midsole, and an outsole. The midsole includes a platform and a lattice integrally formed with the platform. The platform has a toe portion, a heel portion, a medial portion, and a lateral portion arranged to align with the user's foot. The lattice extends from the platform and includes a plurality of crisscrossing laths. Each lath has a longitudinal structure with a longitudinal axis and two ends. The laths are positioned in at least a first zone and a second zone in the lattice, and each lath in the first zone has a girth that is substantially different from a girth of each lath in the second zone.

Abstract: In a sole construction for a running shoe having an outer sole and an intermediate sole, the sole construction including a plurality of hollow elements which are in each case closed off by front and rear flanks in the longitudinal direction of the sole construction but are open at the sides and have upper and lower inner faces at a mutual spacing. The hollow elements are configured to absorb forces which act on them during running in each case by elastic deformation with a reduction in the spacing between their inner faces and optionally by horizontal displacement of their inner faces with respect to one another. The hollow elements are configured to deform to such an extent that their upper and lower inner faces come into contact with one another, and that this contact prevents a horizontal displacement of their inner faces with respect to one another.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides an impact protection device including a base member, a cushioning layer secured to a peripheral edge of the base member and an impact shield operatively attached to an outer surface of the base member. The impact shield may be deflectable and/or moveable relative to the base member, and may be attached to the base member at a plurality of discrete locations.

Abstract: A footwear sole having a variety of cushioning materials to prevent, reduce and/or eliminate foot fatigue, plantar fasciitis, and metatarsal injuries as a result of improper weight distribution to the bottom of the foot. These cushioning materials can possess differing densities and can be arranged in such a fashion so as to force the impact of the body's weight on the foot to dissipate outwards rather than straight down. The sole includes a multi-layered metatarsal design and a multi-layered heel design. When the force of the body's weight is directed downwards, it results in the wearer's heel and metatarsal absorbing the body's weight, The present invention helps to prevent or reduce this by dissipating the force outwards from the foot. An expandable ball can also be included within the heel design for further absorbing impact at heel strike.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed and includes an upper and a support assembly positioned beneath the upper. The support assembly may include a top member, a chamber assembly positioned beneath the top member, having a base member and a plurality of hollow support members extending upwardly from the base member. A bottom plate may be secured to a bottom surface of the chamber assembly, sealing the hollow projections and forming at least one closed chamber. An outsole may be positioned beneath the support assembly.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole positioned beneath the upper; and a forward displacement assembly positioned within the midsole. The forward displacement assembly may include a biasing member, an actuator element operably connected to the biasing member, and an extension assembly positioned in a forefoot region of the midsole and operably connected to the actuator element. The extension assembly may include a movable outsole member.

Abstract: An orthopedic device in the form of a circumferential walker includes a first member (posterior shell) and a second member (dorsal shell) corresponding to the first member. An outsole or plantar shell portion is attached to, or formed on or with the posterior shell. A hinge mechanism is provided between the posterior and dorsal shells to allow the dorsal shell to be swung away from the posterior shell in order to accommodate an anatomical limb therein. Inflatable bladders having perspiration wicking channels and/or openings are provided within a liner for insertion between the posterior and dorsal shells. Quick-connecting buckle and retaining assemblies can be provided to allow a user to quickly don and doff the orthopedic device.

Abstract: An article of footwear including an adaptive support system includes a plurality of support members. Each support member includes an outer chamber and an inner chamber, the inner chamber being filled with a magnetorheological fluid. An electromagnet is disposed adjacent to the inner chamber and can be used to vary the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed having at least one elongated heel support member. The elongated heel support member may be angled and extend from a heel region to a midfoot region, in order to disperse forces applied by a wearer's heel during movement. The heel system may include two heel support members, each associated with a side of the article of footwear. The article of footwear may also include a series of ribs in the midfoot region, which may abut a front edge of the heel support members. Finally, the article of footwear may include asymmetric side flaps extending downward from an upper plate so as to overlap a midsole.

Abstract: A shoe sole structure includes an outsole having a plurality of cushioning members formed with the bottom surface of the outsole that can extend at least partially between the lateral edge and the medial edge of the shoe and also around a heel end of the shoe. One or more of the cushioning members can differ in size, location, orientation, length and/or material from one or more of the remaining cushioning members.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to articles of manufacture having at least a portion prepared using recycled material, including but not limited recycled rubber or other polymeric materials. The articles may incorporate the recycled materials in a granulated form. In specific embodiments, the article comprises an article of footwear (i.e., a shoe). Particularly, all or part of the shoe sole may be formed using the granulated material, the granules specifically being joined together using a binder material, such as a polyurethane, preferably a moisture cure, single component polyurethane binder. The invention further provides methods of preparing articles formed of granulated materials. The inventive methods are characterized by their excellent economic benefits, ease of use, and environmental benefits.

Abstract: A sole section adapted for use in a sole of a shoe or other footwear which includes at least a bottom sole portion. The sole section includes at least two inner bladders each of which contains a fluid, and at least a part thereof is located in a single frontal plane cross-section of the sole. The sole section also includes a duct and/or valve providing fluid communication between the inner bladders, an electronic control system including a microprocessor that controls the fluid communication and an outer bladder. The inner bladders are inside the outer bladder and separated from the outer bladder at least in part by an internal sipe formed by a portion of an inner surface of said outer bladder and a portion of an outer surface of each of said inner bladders. The surface portions of the sipe oppose each other and can slide relative to each other.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper that at least in part defines an interior chamber for receiving a foot; an insertable interior midsole component received within the interior chamber; and an exterior sole structure engaged with the upper, wherein the exterior sole structure includes: (a) an exterior midsole component and (b) optionally an outsole component that extends under the forefoot region, wherein the insertable interior midsole component is formed from a foam material comprising a reaction product of about 10 to about 100 phr hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer, 0 to about 40 phr modified hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer, and 0 to about 90 phr alpha olefin copolymer, and at least one additive in an amount suitable to form the foam material; wherein the density of the foam material is less than 0.25 g/cm3.

Abstract: A shoe is provided having a sole that provides excellent shock absorption without reducing support and stability or such a shoe that is generally light in weight. The shoe may have a sole for supporting a foot of a wearer, and a shoe upper adjacent the sole. The sole may include an upper force-distribution plate portion, a lower force-distribution plate portion spaced below the upper plate portion, a lateral shell connecting the upper and lower force-distribution plate portions, and at least one resilient shock-absorber element in contact with and between both the upper and lower plate portions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a footwear sole including a midsole and an outsole. The midsole includes of a plurality of protrusions extending downwardly from a bottom surface of the midsole toward the outsole. The outsole may include a plurality of recesses positioned to mate with a corresponding protrusion from the midsole. The outsole may also include one or more protrusion extending downwardly from the bottom of the outsole. The outsole protrusions may correspond with an associated recess of the outsole top surface. The protrusions may be hemispherical in shape at their distal ends so that a portion of the distal end may be received by the corresponding recess of the outsole top surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sole, midsole, insole or sole insert for an article of footwear, such as a shoe or a boot, sandal, trainer or wellington boot. The sole, midsole, insole or sole insert 10 comprises a matrix structure 12 defining passageways 26, 30 extending between the upper and lower surfaces of the sole, midsole, insole or sole insert. The sole, midsole, insole or sole insert further comprises one or a plurality of sheet members 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 substantially within the matrix structure and forming a continuous moulding therewith, the or each sheet member being convex so that the apex of the or each sheet member approaches and faces the upper surface of the sole, midsole, insole or sole insert. The or each sheet member 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 is made from an elastomeric material so that each sheet member acts as a leaf spring.

Abstract: Footwear according to the present disclosure includes an upper and a sole assembly coupled to the upper, with the sole assembly including an outsole with a ground-contacting surface and a midsole positioned above the outsole. The midsole includes a peripheral lasting member that defines a central aperture, and a cushioning member positioned at least above the peripheral lasting member. In some embodiments, the footwear further includes a heel and the midsole includes a heel strike projection that engages the heel. In some embodiments, the midsole further includes a shank. In some embodiments, the cushioning member defines the optional heel strike projection, and in other embodiments, the optional shank defines the optional heel strike projection. In some embodiments, the footwear includes a spur support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cushioning sheet for improving body balance and blood flow. The cushioning sheet includes a base which has a plurality of first through holes formed therein, a plurality of cushioning members which support the base, have a first cushioning space for relieving pressure applied from the outside formed thereby, and further have a second through hole formed between the first cushioning space and the outside, and a sensing unit which senses at least one of temperature and pressure applied to a plurality of the cushioning members.

Abstract: An article of footwear with an undulating sole provides a different and unique ride and/or feel to the article of footwear, while also providing a unique aesthetic appeal and adequate cushioning and support. The midsole has an undulating shape substantially similar to a sine wave with a series alternating peaks and troughs, and may include one or more support elements disposed on the midsole to provide desired stiffness or cushioning properties to the midsole.

Abstract: The invention is directed to improving a sole deformability of a forefoot portion and a heel portion. The sole structure 1 includes an upper plate 2 disposed on an upper side of the sole assembly 1, a lower plate 3 that is disposed under the upper plate 2 and that forms a gap S with the upper plate 2, and a pillar-shaped connecting member 4 that is provided in the gap S and that vertically interconnects the upper plate 2 with the lower plate 3. At least a portion of the lower plate 3 is divided in the longitudinal direction by a lateral indentation 30 at a position that the connecting member 4 is in contact with.

Abstract: A sole for dance footwear such as a dance sneaker includes an outsole having forefoot, arch and heel portions and which contains openings in the forefoot and arch portions. The bottom surface of the outsole further includes a plurality of laterally extending spaced grooves. The grooves and openings provide increased flexure of the outsole from heel to toe and from side to side about a longitudinal axis of the outsole. A shank between the openings in the arch portion of the outsole supports the foot during dance movements, maintains the integrity of the shoe, and improves the aesthetics and ergonomic movement of the footwear.

Abstract: An inner sole board having varying regions of flexibility is provided for use in an article of footwear. The inner sole board may include different materials along its length at different locations that vary its flexibility. An inner sole board is manufactured in an injection molding process requiring only one mold. The process includes a first step of providing a mold, a second step of providing an injection molding assembly, a third step of preparing an injection molding assembly and mold, a fourth step of injecting material into the mold, and a fifth step of establishing the dimensions of a first portion. During the injection molding process, the flow rate of at least one material may be controlled by a nozzle gate to control the shape and size of the flex zone it creates. In this manner, the inner sole board may be customized for a specific sport or individual.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a heel section, a mid-foot section, and a toe section. The heel section, the mid-foot section, and the toe section collectively have a geometric shape having a first slope of a polarity along an inner edge of the apparatus from the toe section to the heel section and a second slope of the polarity along the inner edge of the apparatus to an outer edge of the apparatus at the toe section.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a heel section, a mid-foot section, and a toe section. The heel section, the mid-foot section, and the toe section collectively have a geometric shape having a first slope of a polarity along an inner edge of the apparatus from the toe section to the heel section and a second slope of the polarity along the inner edge of the apparatus to an outer edge of the apparatus at the toe section.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a heel section, a mid-foot section, and a toe section. The heel section, the mid-foot section, and the toe section collectively have a geometric shape having a first slope of a polarity along an inner edge of the apparatus from the toe section to the heel section and a second slope of the polarity along the inner edge of the apparatus to an outer edge of the apparatus at the toe section.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a heel section, a mid-foot section, and a toe section. The heel section, the mid-foot section, and the toe section collectively have a geometric shape having a first slope of a polarity along an inner edge of the apparatus from the toe section to the heel section and a second slope of the polarity along the inner edge of the apparatus to an outer edge of the apparatus at the toe section.

Abstract: A cushioning sole for footwear includes a heel portion, an opening, and a cushioning slide. The heel portion includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The opening extends vertically through the heel portion from the bottom surface to the top surface. The cushioning slide is disposed in the opening and extends out from the top surface and out from the bottom surface.

Abstract: Disclosed therein are a method of manufacturing footwear using adhesive films and a composite of the adhesive film, which can allow an outsole and a midsole to be simultaneously molded and formed through the steps of putting the midsole made of EVA foam and the outsole made of rubber into a mold, inserting an adhesive film between the midsole and the outsole, and applying high temperature and high pressure to the midsole and the outsole, thereby not needing to carry out a cleaning process, a primer coating process, and a bonding process when an outsole and a midsole are manufactured, not needing additional facilities for the cleaning and bonding processes, reducing unnecessary manpower, and improving working environments.

Abstract: A shoe midsole has a sole plate, a plurality of blades integrally standing on the sole plate, a cover bonded to the circumference of the sole plate, and a fluid sealed between the sole plate and the cover. A first concave part in a shape equivalent to a sole of a foot is formed on the surface of the sole plate, on which the plurality of blades stand, wherein the plurality of blades are accommodated within the first concave part. The plurality of blades are aligned at a predetermined interval in a direction nearly orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sole plate, and some of the plurality of blades are tilted toward the toe.

Abstract: A high-heel cradle stability device with a tube-post, truss/beams/chords, insole, midsole, outsole, toe platform, bridge, pillar, arch, x-bracing, shank seating and a heel cup, having a pole for fitting the support pillars and sphere balls in a first seated raised area in a region underlying the forward edge of a heel bone, and a second shanked raised area underlying the metatarsal of the comforted arched between. A cradle structure to form part of a shoe, comprising a molded sole member of semi flexible material providing a plurality of fitting holes, said chassis holes fitted for a sole spherical ball. A lightweight platform and heel constructed as a frame for a build to resist drift.

Abstract: A shoe or other footwear, including a footwear or orthotic sole, including a sole section with an outer bladder having a uppermost surface curved concavely in a U-shape relative to an intended wearer's foot location in the device, as viewed upright and unloaded in a frontal plane. The outer bladder forms a component of the sole section. An inner bladder includes a gas located inside and is substantially surrounded on at least the top, bottom and sides by the outer bladder. The outer bladder and inner bladder are separated by an internal sipe. The sipe is formed by an inner surface of the outer bladder and an outer surface of the inner bladder. An attachment is provided between the surfaces of the sipe and located in an upper, central portion of the sipe between sidemost extents of the outer surface of the inner bladder, viewed in a frontal plane cross-section.

Abstract: A shoe incorporating carbon fiber composite components to provide performance improvements in lighter weight, better shock absorption, traction by use of spikes, better support, substantial bounciness by being resistant to deformation and provides active ventilation. The shoe of this invention utilizes carbon fiber composite's to easily fabricate the designs.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes an upper element, a lower element positioned below the upper element and a flexure element. The flexure element may be joined to one of the upper element and the lower element. The flexure element may be configured for slidingly contacting the other of the upper element and the lower element when a vertical compressive load is applied to the upper element. A second flexure element may be provided that extends from the upper element toward the lower element (or vice versa). An article of footwear having the sole structure attached to an upper is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the footwear sector and more specifically it concerns a sole obtainable through compression or injection moulding that allows breathability of the wearer's foot thanks to the combined action of a series of technical elements such as cylindrical stems with relative caps of underlying air chambers shaped like truncated cones and compression distribution devices all located underneath an alternating series of holes moulded on the sole.

Abstract: A shoe sole comprises a first array of interconnected void cells that is oriented adjacent to a second opposing array of interconnected void cells, wherein the second opposing array of interconnected void cells is geometrically different from the first array of void cells and includes at least one void cell with an asymmetrical perimeter.

Abstract: The footwear cushioning invention includes a floating elastic plate that stores and returns elastic energy to provide cushioning through deflection of the elastic plate. Cushioning is by energy return rather than the compression of a foam. Footwear cushioning utilizes a deflection plate integrated into the heel of the shoe for providing shock attenuation and energy absorption when a wearer impacts a hard surface with the shoe. The deflection plate can be carbon fiber because it increases energy return and minimizes energy loss. A cavity can be formed in a midsole of the shoe underneath the deflection plate to allow the plate to flex into the cavity when pressed down upon by a wearer's heel, thereby accepting the energy of a downward step. A post can be located in the center of the cavity underneath the deflection plate that allows support and minimizes excessive deflection of the deflection plate.

Abstract: A sole structure of an article of footwear has a support assembly structure including a flexure element and an upper support element. The flexure element may have a central portion located between first and second ground-contacting or lower regions, wherein the central portion may have a downwardly concavely-curved shell-like region. The flexure element also may have first and second flanges extending upward from the first and second lower regions, respectively. The upper support element is positioned above the central portion and between the first and second flanges of the flexure element. When a vertical compressive load is first applied to the upper support element, the upper support element moves vertically relative to the first and second flanges. An article of footwear having the sole structure attached to an upper is also provided.