Abstract: An improved footwear closure system and composite liner are provided. The composite liner includes a first component that conforms closely to the upper in the area of the heel, toe and side portions of the upper, and a second, stretchable component that extends across and underneath the area between the split of the upper. The second, stretchable component may form an enlarged fold aligned generally with the centerline of the split of the upper. Both components of the composite liner are preferably constructed from a water-repellant or water-proof, breathable material. The composite liner cooperates with an improved closure system having two complementary strips mounted between the split of the upper and underlying the fasteners. When the closure system is drawn tight, any excess portion of stretchable component is collected between and outside the complementary strips, leaving a smooth surface on the inside of the upper in the area of the split and adjacent the instep.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an outer boot having a sole and an upper that together define a volume for receiving and protecting a wearer's foot against external elements, an outer waterproof bootie sized and shaped to fit snugly within the volume, and an inner bootie disposed within the outer bootie. The outer bootie has a waterproofing layer impervious to penetration by water for keeping the wearer's foot dry in wet conditions, and a thermal insulating layer for preventing thermal loss. The inner bootie includes another thermal insulating layer for further preventing thermal loss.

Abstract: A snowboard boot includes a sole region, an upper outer layer extending from the sole region to an instep region, and a foot support disposed inside the upper outer layer. The foot support includes a right foot support and a left foot support. The right foot support is disposed inside the upper outer layer of the boot on a right side thereof and extends from the sole region toward the instep region. The right foot support includes a right foot tightening structure disposed in close proximity to the instep region. The left foot support is disposed inside the upper outer layer of the boot on a left side thereof and extends from the sole region toward the instep region. The left foot support includes a left foot tightening structure disposed in close proximity to the instep region. If desired, an insulating layer may be disposed between the upper outer layer and the right and left foot supports.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a shoe lining having anti-microbial properties. The method comprises providing a quantity of a thermoplastic resin including an inorganic zinc-based anti-microbial agent admixture having a predetermined microbial inhibition characteristic. This thermoplastic resin is blended with a polyethylene resin to form an anti-microbial feedstock. The anti-microbial feedstock is formed into relatively long, narrow, thin lengths of anti-microbial members. These members are woven into an anti-microbial fabric having predetermined microbial inhibition characteristics. This fabric is cut into a plurality of pieces in accordance with a predetermined pattern and the pieces are joined together thereby constructing the anti-microbial shoe lining.

Abstract: A cushion for use inside footwear having an interior for receiving a foot of a wearer. The cushion includes a liner made of cushioning material. The liner is sized and shaped for reception on an interior surface of the footwear in a position for engaging the foot when the foot is inserted into the interior of the footwear for cushioning an interface between the foot and the interior surface of the footwear with which the liner is engaged. The liner includes a visual cushioning indicator for visually indicating the operability of the cushion to perform a cushioning function during an immediately prior use by the wearer and for subsequent use.

Abstract: A shoe of the type constituted of an upper, an external sole, and a lining at least partially elastic arranged within the shoe. The elastic lining defines, at rest, a volume at least equal to that of the largest volume of the foot adapted to be received in the shoe, and includes an arrangement for adjusting its volume in view of an adaptation thereof to the real volume of the foot placed inside the shoe. Advantageously, the volume adjustment arrangement is constituted by a double row of guides facing one another in a limited area of the elastic lining and spaced apart by a value corresponding substantially to the maximum difference in the volume of the foot, and by a loop through lace passing through the guides and associated with a traction and blocking device for the lace.

Abstract: Footwear assembly for the practice of a sport, especially an in-line roller skate boot, of the type including two elements of which one, internal, is relatively flexible and forms a removable liner or boot, and the other, external, is relatively rigid and includes a shell, provided with a longitudinally opening at its upper portion to allow for the introduction of the liner or boot in the shell.

Abstract: A shoe structure includes an upper, including at least an outer layer and a lining, an insole, and a sole. The lining lines the inside of the outer layer and includes a waterproof and water-vapor permeable functional layer. The insole is connected to a lower end area of the outer layer. The lower end area of the lining is turned back to the inside in the sole area at least approximately parallel to the direction in which the sole extends, whereby the turned back area of the lining is shortened to a width of between 0.5 and 3 cm. Cut-outs are made in the insole, at least in the area in which the turned back lower end area of the lining ends. The lower end area of the lining is embedded in a synthetic material which fills the cut-outs in the insole in such a manner that at least the surface of the end area of the lining facing the inner area of the shoe structure forms a continuous surface with the surface of the synthetic material facing the inner area of the shoe structure.

Abstract: A comfort liner provided with a wedging element made of foam having thermoplastic qualities rendering it capable of being adjusted and/or adapted, after being heated at its thermoforming temperature, to the specific volume of the user's foot. The liner in its entirety is preformed at an initial fitting volume corresponding to a standard of a given size, and its wedging element, constituted of foam formed from at least one thermoplastic material, is thermocompressed and micro-perforated. The micro-perforations confer to the wedging element a certain flexibility and elastic compressibility, as well as a certain permeability rendering it sufficiently comfortable to be used as such, and adapted to be easily thermoformed by reheating, due to the rapid and in-depth diffusion of the heat across the micro-perforations.

Abstract: A waterproof shoe structure, which includes an outer layer, a lining with a waterproof but water-vapor permeable functional layer, a lining sole, an insole and an outsole. The lining which contains the functional layer has a lower end area which is turned back to the inside and positioned parallel to the outsole. The shoe structure includes: the lower end area of the lining which is turned back lying at the same level as the lining sole, the outer edge of the lining sole at least approximately parallel to and connected to the inner border of the lower end area of the lining which is turned back, the insole bonded from below in a waterproof manner to the functional layer in the lower end area of the lining which is turned back, and the insole waterproofed at least on its surface which faces towards the inside of the shoe structure.

Abstract: An adaptive, energy absorbing body includes a plurality of fluid filled cells joined together by fluid flow passageways so as to establish an intercommunicating structure which provides effective cushioning. The cells also include pressure responsive seals which restrict fluid flow between the cells when the cells are subjected to a mechanical force above a pre-selected level. Closure of the seals converts the material from open cell, to a closed cell structure, allowing it to absorb and dissipate high levels of kinetic energy. The structure is particularly useful as a shock absorbing element for footwear.

Abstract: Sport footwear assembly, especially an in-line roller skate boot, of the type including two elements, of which one, internal, is a boot, and the other, external, is a boot support coming from the skate. According to the invention, these distinct elements have closure and linkage mechanisms constituted by a single lace which carries out the simultaneous tightening of the two elements, in order to ensure their tightening on the foot.

Abstract: Shoes for use in demanding applications, primarily athletics, are made from a three-dimensional fiber network that is semi-rigid and resilient. The fiber network is made from a textile fabric that has an array of projections made from the same fabric rising from the plane of the fabric.

Abstract: A heat moldable boot liner has an upper portion extending upwardly from a foot portion, which has a pair of flaps extending along the foot portion, the flaps being adjustable to bring one of the flaps into overlapping relationship relative to the other of the flaps over the wearer's foot. A tongue extends upwardly from the other one of the flaps within the upper portion of said liner, which has another pair of flaps intended to be overlapped over the tongue at the lower portion of the wearer's leg. The foot portion includes a heel portion shaped to fit snugly the user's heel. The present liner can be heat-molded in a single-stage molding operation.

Abstract: A three piece boot comprising a sock-like inner member, a structural protective cage intermediate member incorporating rigid toe, arch and heel protection and an outer member having a sole with flexible upper with little form rigidity; the inner sock-like member having resiliently deformable foamed material bonded to the toe, sole and heel portions in order to provide a comfort liner and in order to facilitate the substitution of different inner sock-like members to accommodate a range of foot sizes within a single protective cage and flexible outer member size; a locking device to lock the protective cage to the outer member and a releasable locking device to lock the inner sock-like member into the protective cage.

Abstract: A sports shoe inner comprises two pairs of separate flaps. A first pair is level with the wearer's instep. A second pair is located level with the wearer's lower leg. The flaps extend so as to overlap each other.

Abstract: A shoe having an upper, an outsole, a midsole, and an insole. An insulating sock-type liner is fitted within the shoe, having a suspended connection to an upper portion of the shoe and a cemented connection to each of the midsole and insole. The insulating liner is capable of combination with a sock-type waterproofing liner that fits within the insulating liner. The insulating liner has a bottom extension relative to the waterproofing liner for securement to the midsole under the insole. Also, the insulating layer has a front cut-out portion that allows flexing of the shoe as well as a person's foot.

Abstract: A size adjustable athletic boot of a molded plastic or composite construction which is adjustable in length, width and height allowing three dimensional fit (3-D fit) for a variety of foot sizes. The boot has a base section and a tongue section which extends from a toe end of the base section. The tongue and base sections combine to define a variable volume foot space between them. A heel section telescopes over a rear end of the base section. The heel section has a heel surface which in combination with an upper surface of the base section defines a foot support surface. A cuff extends upward from a heel wall of the heel section. The cuff and a free end of the tongue section confront one another and define a foot entry opening between them. An adjustment mechanism is adapted to selectively position the heel section on the rear end of the base section to vary the length of the foot support surface relative to the length of a user's foot.

Abstract: A sports shoe comprising a soft innerboot (2) having a cuff (5) that partially wraps around the user's leg. A semirigid collar (6) is associated with the cuff (5) and is laterally provided with first guiding seats (8a, 8b) for tabs (19a, 19b) that protrude from a semirigid body (15) associated with the innerboot (2) at least in the heel region (4), the collar (6) being connected to the body at the rear. The sports shoe allows to obtain a comfortable fit and correct movement of the user's foot during sports practice.

Abstract: A display unit such as a digital or analog watch is held in a wedge-shaped member to the top of footwear by a second tongue held, for example, with hook and loop fasteners, to the top of a sneaker or shoe. In another embodiment, the display unit can be held to the top of footwear by the laces of the footwear, which are threaded through a series of pairs of openings in the bottom of the display holder.

Abstract: An inner boot has a part (1) which is intended to surround the foot and the heel and has an instep tongue (9). The inner boot has, at the rear, a vertical cut-out whose bottom lies substantially above the calcaneum, in the region of the Achilles tendon, at a height of 8 to 15 cm above the sole of the inner boot. The inner boot preferably has a tongue (8) extending over the cut-out. This inner boot provides good heel support while also making it easy to put a boot on.

Abstract: A conventional shoe which comprises a shoe upper of continuous and uninterrupted material attached to an outer sole has its shoe upper lined with an air-cooled, breathable shoe liner comprising an outer knit layer of hydrophilic material, an inner knit layer of hydrophobic material, and monofilament yarns of hydrophobic material extending between and interknitted with the outer and inner layers for maintaining an air chamber therebetween, such that moisture from the foot of the wearer is transmitted by the inner layer and the monofilament yarns through the air chamber and is absorbed by the outer layer and passes into the shoe upper to be dried by the outer air.

Abstract: A comfort liner for a ski boat provided with a wedging element made of foam having thermoplastic qualities rendering it adapted to be adjusted and/or adapted, after being heated at its thermoforming temperature, to the specific volume of the foot of the skier, and a ski boot incorporating such liner. The liner in its entirety is preformed to an initial foot fitting volume corresponding to the standard of a given size, and its wedging element, constituted by a foam formed from at least one thermoplastic material, is thermocompressed and micro-perforated. The micro-perforations confer to the wedging element a certain flexibility and elastic compressibility, as well as a certain permeability rendering it sufficiently comfortable to be used as such for skiing, and adapted to be easily thermoformed by reheating, by virtue of the rapid and in-depth diffusion of the heat across the micro-perforations.

Abstract: The breathable liner includes an inner liner selected from highly advance fabrics which are carefully selected. A series of layers are provided outside the inner liner including foam material layers, breathable membranes, a supportive mesh or a moldable foam, and an outer shell fabric. An in-line skate using such a liner is also disclosed. Furthermore, the applicability of the liner to snowboard boots, alpine and cross country boots, as well as clothing is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is to footwear with a rigid protective cap in the toe area between the leg (S) and the porous connection material (V) on the one hand and the lining (L) on the other hand and whose underside goes under the insole (B) over a predetermined width. The porous connection material (V) is connected to the circumference of the insole (B) by an adhesive connection (KN) at its end facing away from the actual leg material (S), at least in the toe area. The footwear can be produced in a simple and inexpensive way.

Abstract: The invention is a waterproof shoe which is characterized in that the lower edge of the upper material and the lower edge of the functional material layer are cut to different lengths so that one of the two edges projects over the other edge, and characterized in that at least the area of the insole adjacent to the seam consists of a material which is permeable to the plastic material used for the outsole in its liquid injection state, and the lower edge of the functional material layer is embedded into the plastic material used for the outsole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a waterproof shoe with a laminate positioned against the inner side of the outer layer, which includes at least one waterproof, water-vapour permeable interlining and a lining, where: the lower area of the laminate is essentially parallel to the underside of the outsole; the upper surface of the lower area of the laminate facing into the inner area of the shoe forms a continuous surface with the upper side of the outsole facing into the inner area of the shoe and is essentially parallel to the underside of the outsole; the lower area of the outer layer is joined to the laminate exclusively via the outsole; provisions for shaping are fitted in the toe and shank areas of the outsole.

Abstract: Footwear is provided with a rigid protective cap in the toe area between the leg (S) and the porous connection material (V) on the one hand and the lining (L) on the other hand and whose underside goes under the insole (B) over a predetermined width. The porous connection material (V) is connected to the circumference of the insole (B) by an adhesive connection (KN) at its end facing away from the actual leg material (S), at least in the toe area. The footwear can be produced in a simple and inexpensive way.

Abstract: Footwear includes a shaft and a laminate which lines the shaft. The laminate has a waterproof, water vapor permeable functional layer, a rigid protective cap is between the shaft and the laminate. In the toe area, the laminate is designed as a bootie. An insole which serves as a mechanical protection between the laminate and the protective cap is located between the outsole side of the bootie and an outsole side edge of the protective cap.

Abstract: A waterproof footwear article is provided having a layer of a two component polyurethane system located above the insole board. The polyurethane system also may penetrate the connecting region between the insole board and footwear upper. A process of waterproofing a footwear article is also provided which includes the step of introducing a two component polyurethane system into the interior of the footwear article and optionally applying forces to cause the polyurethane system to penetrate the various article layers.

Abstract: A waterproof laminated shaped element used as an insert for shoes of a cement-lasted design, including an outer layer, an insole, a lining and a waterproof, water-vapour permeable laminate including a functional layer and optionally a support layer, where a border section of the lower area of the laminate is turned back and bonded to the side having the functional layer such that the lining 3 abuts the edge of the border of the turned-back lower area of the laminate and the border section of the lower area of the laminate is bonded to the insole with a layer of adhesive is disclosed.

Abstract: A liner for a sport boot shell and a method for making a custom fitted liner for a sport boot, are disclosed. The liner is designed to be worn inside a boot shell. In a preferred embodiment the liner includes inner and outer of flaps which wrap in opposite directions across a wearer's shin and forms a compound curve in a region in front of the wearer's ankle. The liner including flaps may be made from a single piece of thermoplastic foam material of uniform thickness. The design of the liner prevents the cuff of the liner from loosening around the wearer's shin and calf when the wearer's leg is flexed forward at the ankle. The shell can therefore be worn more loosely than is necessary with a boot liner of conventional design. The liner may be made by making an unfitted liner from a sheet of thermoformable material. The unfitted liner has a forwardly facing opening and wings extending forwardly on either side of opening.

Abstract: A shoe construction is provided which is waterproof and breathable. The construction includes a liner which is impervious to water, yet pervious to water vapor. The liner covers the entire top of the foot of the wearer but is open under the forefoot area of the foot. The shoe is lasted using a combination of techniques. The forepart of the shoe is cement lasted while the rearpart of the shoe is of a stitched construction.

Abstract: A method for construction of waterproof footwear includes providing an upper defining an internal volume for receiving and protecting a wearer's foot against external elements, lasting and securing an inner liner having a waterproofing layer within the internal volume of the upper, securing the inner liner at a lasting edge portion of the liner to an insole having an external surface, securing a gasket element over the lasting edge portion of the liner and external surface of the insole, lasting the upper over the inner liner, and securing an outsole to the lasted upper. Performing two independent lasting operations ensures that during use, even if water somehow penetrates the upper, the lasted inner lining provides independent protection to the wearer's foot.

Abstract: For sport boot systems incorporating a pliable inner liner within a rigid outer shell, such as for ski or snow board type boots, an inner liner of foam material is provided with a single bifurcation at its outer side to provide a tongueless entry access opening. Relief structures are positioned at the front of the liner to provide enhanced forward flexibility and to increase comfort.

Abstract: The invention is a waterproof shoe which is characterized in that the lower edge of the upper material and the lower edge of the functional material layer are cut to different lengths so that one of the two edges projects over the other edge, and characterized in that at least the area of the insole adjacent to the seam consists of a material which is permeable to the plastic material used for the outsole in its liquid injection state, and the lower edge of the functional material layer is embedded into the plastic material used for the outsole.

Abstract: In an inner shoe (10) for ski-boots comprising a sole (18) and an upper (16) which includes a padding (24) enclosed in an inner (26) and outer (28) lining, the shoe (10) is of the rear-entry type whereby it has a rear opening (20) extending from the top end (22) of the upper (16) up to the sole area and the shoe has not the usual front opening which can be covered by a tongue.

Abstract: A boot that includes an outer sole, a stiffener surrounding the heel, a vamp, as well as a lining made of an elastic material extending over the top of the front-foot inside vamp, the vamp and the stiffener being assembled to the outer sole in a peripheral assembly zone of the sole. In accordance with the invention, the elastic lining does not have a base and is fixed by its lower peripheral edge to the outer sole, in the peripheral assembly zone of such sole, and lining is fixed at the rear, on each side of boot to the rear stiffener.

Abstract: An innerboot particularly for sports shoes which includes a first flap and a second flap in which the tips that are adjacent to the toe region are free and/or cannot mutually overlap. The first and second flaps can therefore mutually overlap in any direction so as to improve user fit.

Abstract: A footwear drying insert includes an elongated foot-shaped body defining opposing toe and heel ends and including tubular inner and outer layers of material that are secured together to define an intermediate space between the layers and an interior space within the inner tubular layer. A plurality of baffles are formed between and connect the inner and outer layers of the body together. The baffles extend in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis between the toe and heel ends of the body to divide the intermediate space into compartments. A desiccant composition is enveloped within at least one of the compartments, and structure is provided for exerting outward support on the body during use. The support structure is compressible to allow the insert to be deformed for insertion into and removal from the footwear.

Abstract: In a locking device for sports footwear, in particular for ski-boots comprising a body (12) on which a leg-piece (18) is pivotably mounted two levers (24,26) are hinged together at one of their ends and pivotably mounted at their opposite ends on the body (12) and the leg-piece (18) respectively. The lever pivotably mounted on the body (12) is provided with a lug (41) able to engage with an inner shoe (21) so as to prevent it from coming out.

Abstract: A sock-like shoe insert is provided which incorporates an upper of waterproof, water-vapor permeable functional layer for waterproof, breathable footwear and a sole of a waterproof, non-porous plastic film that can be stretched in two directions.

Abstract: The inner boot is equipped with an at least partially elastic outer casing (8), the inner face of which is intended to receive corrective pieces (23) for individual adaptation of the volume of the boot to the foot of the wearer. The elasticity of the casing is provided, for example, by two elastic bands (13, 14) and the casing preferably has cutouts and indentations (10, 11, 12) which facilitate the putting in place and the removal of the corrective pieces.

Abstract: Waterproof, breathable footwear with an upper connected to an insole, the upper having an outside layer formed of an outer upper material and an inside layer constructed of a waterproof, water vapor-permeable functional layer and a liner material in which on the bottom end of the upper, the inside layer extends about 5 mm beyond the outside layer. Only the bottom end of inside layer is sewn to insole. The bottom end of outside layer is glued to the inside layer by an adhesive. An outsole is injection molded onto the insole, and the bottom ends of inside and outside layers.

Abstract: A boot for gliding sports, and more specifically, for "snowboarding". The boot includes two distinct zones with different characteristics and functions, including a first relatively rigid energy/power circuit, distributed with respect to the foot, so as to centralize the forces, and especially the front and rear supports or the torsion control, during practice of the sport, and a second relatively flexible, sensitive circuit independent of the energy/power circuit, and adapted to ensure comfort of the foot as well as transmission of information originating from the gliding member towards the ankle. Both of the circuits are affixed to a common reference element.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an outer boot or shoe with a sole and an upper, which together define a volume for receiving and protecting a wearer's foot against external elements, and a replaceable, watertight bootie sized and shaped to fit snugly within the volume. The bootie includes an insole, a bootie upper, and releasable attachment elements for releasable securement of the bootie within the volume. The bootie has a waterproofing layer of material impervious to penetration by water that provides protection to the wearer's foot in wet conditions.

Abstract: A fabric, particularly for use as a shoe lining, comprising a first knitted or woven layer laminated to a second non-woven layer whereby moisture is drawn away from the surface adjacent a moisture source through the first layer into the second layer which acts as a reservoir for the moisture.

Abstract: A warp-knitted shoe liner fabric of a three-bar construction having a three-dimensional compressible character in the fabric's thickness dimension with a pattern of elongated coursewise underlaps at the fabric's technical back which, in use, is to be oriented to face inwardly of the interior foot-receiving area of the shoe. The fabric is preferably finished with dye bath-carrying anti-microbial/anti-fungal and wicking enhancement agents, and also has silicone and acrylic polymers applied to resist fraying and abrasion and improve the fabric softness.

Abstract: A waterproof foot covering such as a shoe, boot or the like has a molded-on (foamed-on) outersole and an upper that is lined with a waterproof but water vapor-permeable layer. The lower welt region of the upper is connected to the lower welt region of the waterproof layer and to the outer welt region of the inner sole via an upper band, a lower band, and a multiplicity of tensile-load-resistant straps connecting the upper and lower bands to one another. The lower welt region of the upper is stitched to the upper band. The lower welt region of the waterproof layer and the outer welt region of the inner sole are stitched to the lower band. The straps and the lower band are embedded in the material forming the outersole. This material is connected, in this embedding region, to the waterproof layer in a waterproof manner by molding-on (foaming-on).

Abstract: An inner liner is provided for a shoe that makes the shoe waterproof and at the same time allows the foot to breathe. To accomplish this purpose, such a liner is constructed of a material that is impervious to water but is pervious to perspiration vapors. The liner comprises a sock-like configuration shaped to fit within a shoe upper and attached to the top and bottom portions of the upper, such liner having fold portions similar to fold portions at the front of the shoe to allow expansion and contraction thereof when the shoe is placed on the foot and removed. The liner may also employ a novel seam in joined portions thereof, and its particular structure allows it to be combined with all conventional types of shoe constructions.