Abstract: A boot having a first footwear element and a second footwear element, the second footwear element being configured to be removably inserted into the first footwear element, the first element footwear extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and height-wise from a base to an upper end, the second footwear element extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and height-wise from a base to an upper end. The boot includes a retaining device to retain the rear end of the second footwear element at the rear end of the first footwear element.

Abstract: An orthopedic walking boot, comprising a base to support a user's foot, the base having a section configured to support the user's posterior portion of the heel; a support assembly extending from the base to support the user's lower leg; and a heel cushion arranged with said section of the base to engage the user's posterior portion of the heel, the heel portion having a free edge configured to flex.

Abstract: A heel stabilizer for use with human footwear that reduces or eliminates upward movement of the heel within footwear is disclosed herein. The heel stabilizer preferably includes two gripping portions or parts that grip the heel on the medial and lateral surfaces of the foot, preferably above the widest part of the heel. The heel stabilizer may be integrated directly into footwear. Alternatively, the heel stabilizer may be a separate insert that can be inserted into footwear.

Abstract: A heel stabilizer for use with human footwear that reduces or eliminates upward movement of the heel within footwear is disclosed herein. The heel stabilizer preferably includes two gripping portions or parts that grip the heel on the medial and lateral surfaces of the foot, preferably above the widest part of the heel. The heel stabilizer may be integrated directly into footwear. Alternatively, the heel stabilizer may be a separate insert that can be inserted into footwear.

Abstract: An automated tightening shoe with a single crisscrossed laces or closure panel and a tightening mechanism which operates in one direction to cause automatic tightening of the crisscrossed laces or closure panel to tighten the shoe about a wearer's foot, and which can be released easily so that the shoe can be removed from the wearer's foot. An actuating wheel partially projecting from the rear sole of the shoe provides a convenient and reliable actuating means for movement of the automated tightening mechanism in the tightening direction.

Abstract: An automated tightening shoe with a single crisscrossed laces or closure panel and a tightening mechanism which operates in one direction to cause automatic tightening of the crisscrossed laces or closure panel to tighten the shoe about a wearer's foot, and which can be released easily so that the shoe can be removed from the wearer's foot. An actuating wheel partially projecting from the rear sole of the shoe provides a convenient and reliable actuating means for movement of the automated tightening mechanism in the tightening direction.

Abstract: A shoe liner adapted to selectively couple to a vertical, rear, interior wall of a shoe includes a natural fabric body that is an elongated ovoid shape having a foot side and an opposite shoe side. The shoe side includes an adhesive back adapted to selectively adhere to the vertical backwall interior side of the shoe. The shoe liner further includes an interior chamber defined between the foot side and shoe side layers. The interior chamber is adapted to hold a volume of cotton batting filler material. The exterior surfaces of the shoe liner are made from a natural material and are available in a myriad of colors, textures, and patterns.

Abstract: A sizing system for an article of footwear includes an insert attachable to the upper of the article of footwear. The insert is positioned within a pocket formed between the lining of the upper and the exterior shell of the upper. When attached to the upper, the insert forms a part of the exterior surface of the article of footwear. When the insert is removed, part of the pocket forms a portion of the exterior surface of the article of footwear or a flap is extended over the pocket to form a portion of the exterior surface of the article of footwear. The insert may be secured within the pocket using a mechanical fastener.

Abstract: A heel stabilizer for use with human footwear that reduces or eliminates upward movement of the heel within footwear is disclosed herein. The heel stabilizer preferably includes two gripping portions or parts that grip the heel on the medial and lateral surfaces of the foot, preferably above the widest part of the heel. The heel stabilizer may be integrated directly into footwear. Alternatively, the heel stabilizer may be a separate insert that can be inserted into footwear.

Abstract: A heel stabilizer for use with human footwear that reduces or eliminates upward movement of the heel within footwear is disclosed herein. The heel stabilizer preferably includes two gripping portions or parts that grip the heel on the medial and lateral surfaces of the foot, preferably above the widest part of the heel. The heel stabilizer may be integrated directly into footwear. Alternatively, the heel stabilizer may be a separate insert that can be inserted into footwear.

Abstract: A shoe comfort device including a flexible length, a fixing end, and a detachable heel attachment, constructed to support a shoe substantially against the bottom of a human foot.

Abstract: An article of footwear including heel portion movable relative to the forefoot portion from a first articulated configuration to a second articulated configuration is provided. An articulation assembly having a forefoot articulation member and a heel articulation member is also provided. The articulation assembly couples the forefoot portion to the heel portion and includes a hinge mechanism and a cam mechanism. The hinge mechanism may include a pin located within a socket. The cam mechanism may include a cam surface and a protrusion configured to ride on the cam surface. The article of footwear may include a locking mechanism having a first locking element that engages a second locking element in the first articulated configuration. The first locking element may be a first concavity formed in a surface and the second locking element may be a protrusion configured to extend into the first concavity in the first articulated configuration.

Abstract: An article of footwear may have a sole structure and an upper that includes at least one layer and a plurality of strands. The layer extends from a lace region of the upper to a lower region of the upper. The strands are located adjacent to the layer and in contact with the layer, and the strands extend from the lace region to the lower region. Additionally, the strands are unsecured to the layer for a distance of at least five centimeters in an area between the lace region and the lower region.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an adhesive backed heel pad application of a predetermined shape which is designed from a cushioned material with a loop attachment made from leather, vinyl, plastic or fabric material of various colors. The loop attachment will be sewn to the cushioned material which will be adhered to the inside heel of a strapless shoe with permanent adhesive. The ankle strap will be comprised of various colors of like material as the loop attachment. The ankle strap will be inserted through the loop attachment and fasten around the ankle of the wearer with a buckle.

Abstract: A device, system and method of securing heeled footwear, and backless heeled footwear in particular, to a user's ankle in order to increase stability and enhance aesthetics. The device includes a heel loop having an elastic component that is positioned within the recessed portion of a shoe's sole, with the heel loop engaged with an ankle loop that encircles a wearer's ankle. The device is fully detachable from the footwear, and thus can be utilized with more than one shoe. The heel loop and ankle loop are semi-permanently attached in one embodiment, and fully separable in an alternative embodiment.

Abstract: An anti-slip patch can fit into a shoe heel to prevent socks from slipping into the shoe. The anti-slip patch can cover an area of the vertical inner heel cap of the shoe with a hook surface or similar material that can prevent slippage of a sock. The hook exposed surface of the anti-slip patch can become an integral part of the vertical inner heel cap lining of the shoe and can securely fasten on to the vertical heel part of any type of sock when worn in the shoe. The snug fit of the foot inside the shoe ensures continuous pressure being applied to the sock for it to remain adhered to the exposed hook material of the anti-slip patch, keeping the sock securely locked in its desired comfortable position on the foot while being worn in the shoe in both dry and wet conditions.

Abstract: An article of footwear including a forefoot portion and a heel portion movable relative to the forefoot portion from a first articulated configuration to a second articulated configuration is provided. An articulation assembly having a forefoot articulation member and a heel articulation member is also provided. The articulation assembly couples the forefoot portion to the heel portion and includes a hinge mechanism and a cam mechanism. The hinge mechanism may include a pin located within a socket. The cam mechanism may include a cam surface and a protrusion configured to ride on the cam surface. The article of footwear may include a locking mechanism having a first locking element that engages a second locking element in the first articulated configuration. The first locking element may be a first concavity formed in a surface and the second locking element may be a protrusion configured to extend into the first concavity in the first articulated configuration.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a prosthetic foot for attachment to a socket worn by an amputee. In an embodiment, the prosthetic foot comprises a body including a forefoot portion and a heel portion. In addition, the prosthetic foot comprises at least one attachment member extending from the body and conformable to the socket.

Abstract: A shoe insert for adjusting the fit of a shoe on a person's foot, and the combination of such insert and a shoe with elements providing for removable securement of the insert within the shoe. The shoe insert may be formed from a stable, resilient, and biodegradable material such as a molded mixture of polyurethane and cork, and may be removably secured within the shoe via a cooperating slot and rail system to prevent slippage of the insert within the shoe. The shoe or insert or both may be contoured to provide a custom anatomical fit to the person's foot.

Abstract: An article of footwear including a sole and an upper, the upper including a seat adapted to nest the user's heel, the seat including a first stiffener, and an arrangement for varying the size or volume of the seat provided by the first stiffener, between an expanded position, for which the volume of the seat is relatively large, and a retracted position, for which the volume of the seat is reduced.

Abstract: As worn with a pull-on boot, a pair of pants has an outer shell and a liner, which has a leg-covering portion and a foot-covering portion. In a ready-to-don condition, the pull-on boot is placed onto a horizontal surface so as to open upwardly, the foot-covering portion is fitted into the pull-on boot. and the outer shell is fitted over the pull-on boot, whereupon the pair of pants is pulled downwardly, over the pull-on boot, toward the horizontal surface. The foot-covering portion of the liner may be detachably attached to and within the boot, as by hook-and-loop attaching means, when the combination has been manipulated to the ready-to-don position. The liner has a pair of pull-on loops, each of which is attached to and within the liner so as to be manually graspable when the combination has been manipulated into the ready-to-don condition.

Abstract: An article of footwear for receiving a foot of a wearer. The footwear includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The footwear also includes a heel strap having a U-shaped configuration with a pair of end areas and a central area. The end areas are secured to at least one of the upper and the sole structure, and the central area is unsecured to the upper and the sole structure. At least one of the upper and the sole structure define a foot-supporting surface with a raised periphery in at least a heel region of the footwear, and the central area of the heel strap is a contoured area that lays adjacent the raised periphery in the heel region. The strap may be separated from the foot-supporting surface and placed around a heel of the foot.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper, an ankle support, and a sole structure. The upper receives a foot of an individual and includes a tab that is convertible from a folded first position to an extended second position. The ankle support is configured to extend around an ankle of the individual, and the ankle support is positioned proximal the tab. The sole structure is secured to the upper. The footwear is convertible between a first configuration and a second configuration. The tab is in the folded first position and separate from the ankle support in the first configuration, and the tab is in the extended second position and joined with the ankle support in the second configuration.

Abstract: An article of footwear for sand sports includes an outsole and an upper secured to the outsole. The upper has a first toe pocket configured to receive a big toe of a user and a second toe pocket configured to receive at least some of the remaining toes of the user. A wrap extends around a midfoot portion of the outsole and the upper, and around a heel portion of the upper. A plurality of cleats may be secured to a lower surface of the outsole.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for securing a foot in a footwear item and a footwear item using the apparatus are provided. Pivot members are disposed on opposing sides of a closure configured to secure an opening in an upper of the footwear item, the pivot members being positioned on a surface of the footwear item between the opposing sides of the closure and a heel section of the footwear item. A securing including end sections and a force member is provided. Each of the end sections includes a fastener-receiving opening configured for a fastener to pass therethrough. The force member extends from the end sections and curves around the pivot members to engage the closure. Tension applied to the fastener applies force to the end sections resulting in tension in the force member causing a securing force being applied against the closure.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper, a sole structure, and a leash secured to the upper. The leash is formed of a flexible material and includes a connector strap that extends from a heel portion of the upper. A pair of straps extend from the connector strap and are configured to extend around opposite sides of an ankle. A fastener is secured to opposite sides of the straps and is utilized to secure the leash to the ankle. The leash secures the footwear to the individual, thereby limiting inadvertent removal of the footwear from the foot.

Abstract: A pivotal counter assembly for a shoe has a base, a pivot, a counter plate, a torsion spring, a push button, an engaging device and a biasing member. The pivot is pivotally mounted in the base with a pivot pin. The counter plate extends upward from the pivot. The torsion spring is mounted around the pivot pin to provide a recoil force to the pivot. The push button is slidably mounted in the base. The engaging device is mounted between the push button and the pivot to hold the counter plate at a desired position. The biasing member is mounted between the push button and the base to provide a restitution force to the push button. In such an arrangement, the user does not need to manually push the push button, and the use of the counter assembly is easy and convenient.

Abstract: A dive fin replacement heel strap for use on open-foot pocket dive fins having a mounting device on each side of the fin to secure the fins onto a user's foot. The strap is made of an elongate elastic material and has a predetermined width (W). It has a plurality of orifices of a predetermined opening size (D), positioned on the elongate elastic material. There is a tab on the end of the elongate elastic material. The tab has a solid flexible lip around its periphery which has a width greater than W and a height greater than D. There is an indent in the upper horizontal surface and in the lower horizontal surface of the elongate elastic material adjacent to the tab. The orifices are adapted to attached to a mounting device of a dive fin. The tab is adapted to pass through a mounting device of a dive fin and to pass through an orifice and lock in place thereat.

Abstract: An improved shoe, promoting a heel-to-toe motion of a foot, comprising an outsole and an upper part. The outsole has a contraction extending to a first area where a back of the foot is located. The upper part has a heel guide, including one of a heelplate and a flexible heel brace, which are arranged in a second area where the heel of the foot is located, such that an Achilles tendon of the foot is free.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thin sandal made for reef and river walking utilizing a sponge-top layer directly fixed to a rubber sole as well as a single continuous adjustable elastic strap.

Abstract: A liner and an insole, which are attached at a sole portion of the liner, are wearable with a boot, which is provided with a recess where an upper structure of the boot is affixed to a sole structure of the boot, at a heel end of the sole structure. At a heel end of the insole, the insole extends beyond heel portion of the liner so as to provide a tongue, which is fittable into the recess. The liner may be fixed to a pants leg. When the tongue is fitted into the recess, the liner is restrained against inverting and pulling from the boot, when the foot of the wearer is removed. The boot, liner, insole combination can be advantageously worn by a wearer, such as a firefighter, who needs quickly to don the combination and to doff the combination.

Abstract: An article of footwear, e.g., a shoe for running, jogging, and walling, that is designed to provide a better and more anatomical fit to the wearer's foot to enhance performance and provide better arch support. The shoe includes an articulated arch that is independent from the main sole unit to provide better arch support, optimal comfort, and enhanced articulation. A heel notch is cut in the medial and lateral quarter panels to enable the shoe to move in a manner more like the human foot. A heel clip is provided, in lieu of a traditional heel counter, to provide a secure fit in the heel region without the inflexibility and discomfort of a traditional heel counter.