Abstract: An article of footwear with a traction system. The traction system includes a plurality of traction elements of various heights on the outsole that undergo rotation within the penetrated substratum while avoiding damage from digging the surface while walking. The plurality of traction elements has a shortened height at pivot points of a foot and a lengthened height away from the pivot points of the foot.

Abstract: Ski boot device for ski boots (1). Ski boots have a front sole section (3) with a front interaction surface associated with binding and releasing from a front ski binding, and a rear sole section (4), in a common plane (8), with a rear interaction surface associated with binding and releasing from a rear ski binding. The ski boot device of the present invention is attached to the ski boot and comprises a toe portion formed and attached to the ski boot sole (3) without interfering with the front interaction surface during binding or releasing, a heel portion formed and attached to the heel (4) of the ski boot without interfering with the rear interaction surface during binding or releasing; and a support portion (10A, 10B) provided intermediate the toe portion and heel portion and having a shaped profile which extends below the common plane and provides a contact surface during walking.

Abstract: A tipping bar for preventing toe walking and other gait abnormalities is provided. The tipping bar may be integrated to the sole of a footwear, forcing weight on the heel, preventing toe walking.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a braided upper comprised of a unitary braided structure. The unitary braided structure of the braided upper may be engineered with specific features tailored to particular activities. Different regions of the upper may have different braided configurations. For example, higher braid densities may be used in specific areas of the footwear to provide additional structural support or compression. Also, strands of a different material may be incorporated in different regions of the braided upper to provide specific properties to the footwear in those areas.

Abstract: A toe protection assembly for inhibiting toes in a foot cast from being stubbed includes a basal strap that is positionable beneath a foot cast. A top strap is pivotally coupled to the basal strap such that the top strap can be extended over the foot cast when the basal strap is positioned beneath the foot cast. A ratchet strap is pivotally coupled to the basal strap such that the ratchet strap can be extended over the foot cast when the basal strap is positioned beneath the foot cast. A ratchet is coupled to the ratchet strap and the ratchet tightens the top strap across the foot cast. A barrier is coupled to the basal strap and the barrier extends across toes on a foot that is positioned in the foot cast. Moreover, the barrier is comprised of a rigid material to inhibit the toes from being stubbed during walking with the foot cast.

Abstract: A shoe having a removable sole is provided. The shoe includes one or more straps that are insertable through corresponding apertures in the soles to attach a sole to a base of the shoe. The removable soles provide a shoe with capability to interchange soles, thereby providing for specialized soles to supply for a single shoe, which allows use of the shoe with various athletic sports.

Abstract: A shoe has an upper portion with an outer surface, a sole and a closure. A heat shrinkable plastic material is formed into a shoe cover that defines a recess complementary in shape to an upper portion of the shoe. The shoe cover defines a bottom opening having dimensions so as to expose the sole of the shoe when the shoe is placed within the recess. The shoe cover also defines a top opening having dimensions so as expose the closure while still covering the substantially all of the upper portion except for the closure. The heat shrinkable plastic material includes a material that causes the shoe cover to shrink to the outer surface of the shoe when subjected to heat at a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes disposing a first polymer sheet and a second polymer sheet in a mold assembly, and disposing a preformed unitary outsole in the mold assembly adjacent the second polymer sheet. The method includes closing the mold assembly to compress the first and second polymer sheets and the outsole, and thermally bonding the first and second polymer sheets to one another in the mold assembly to form a cushioning component with a chamber, a top wall, a bottom wall, a medial side wall, and a lateral side wall. A bottom portion of the outsole is thermally bonded to the bottom wall, a medial side portion of the outsole is thermally bonded to the medial side wall, and a lateral side portion of the outsole is thermally bonded to the lateral side wall.

Abstract: A comfortable overshoe that can be worn over various types of footwear has a flexible, resilient sole and means for releasably attaching the overshoe to a boot or other footwear. The sole has a flexible, generally planar, medial wall, with a plurality of hollow domes formed in and extending from the top side of the medial wall. A plurality of triradial support members extend from the bottom of the medial wall and are spaced around the underside of each dome.

Abstract: An athletic shoe is selectively configurable between a weight-training configuration and a cross-training configuration. The athletic shoe includes an upper portion configured to receive a foot and a first sole portion connected to the upper portion. The first sole portion has an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. The outer surface is configured to contact a training surface when the athletic shoe is in the cross-training configuration. The athletic shoe also includes a second sole portion removably connected to the first sole portion when the athletic shoe is in the weight-training configuration. The second sole portion includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is configured to contact the training surface and the second surface is configured to contact the outer surface when the athletic shoe is in the weight-training configuration.

Abstract: Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) a sole structure; (b) an upper having lateral and medial side elements engaged with the sole structure, the upper made from a polymer matrix structure that extends through at least a heel region; (c) a size adjustment mechanism located at the heel region; (d) a heel tongue element located adjacent the size adjustment mechanism; (e) a shoe securing mechanism; (f) an instep tongue member; and/or (g) a bootie member located at least partially within the foot-receiving chamber. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure providing lateral roll control structure. The sole structure includes a sole component having a continuous slit located in a central region of the sole component and progressing in a longitudinal direction of the sole component. The slit forms a laterally extending portion(s) that extends from a medial side of the sole component to a lateral side of the sole structure, a distal end of the laterally extending portion being attached to an opposing surface of an adjacent component, and a medially extending portion(s) that extends from a lateral side of the sole component to a medial side of the sole structure, a distal end of the medially extending portion being attached to the opposing surface of the adjacent component, the laterally extending portion(s) and the medially extending portion(s) alternating in a longitudinal direction of the sole component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a snowshoe and rucksack for its storage with an application in the sports sphere and in particular on snow covered and ice-frozen terrains. The inflatable snowshoe contains a corpus and fixing belts. The corpus consists of a cylindrical air chamber and protective case. The air chamber forms a closed contour having the form of an elliptical ring with a circular cross section and is placed in the protective case. The air chamber has a valve mounted on it the end of which passes through an opening formed in the rear part of the protective case. The protective case is made of separate sections of a strong, wear-resistant material. The frontal part of protective case contains three sections which are raised in relation to the horizontal axis under an angle of ?, which falls within the interval between 35° to 40°. Over the entire internal circumference of protective case there is a zipper, ensuring quick and easy placing of the air chamber in casing.

Abstract: A shoe protecting cover device covers a shoe while driving to prevent scuffing or other damage to the shoe. The device includes a base wall and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending from a front section of the base wall. The perimeter wall and the front section of the base wall define a front cup for receiving and extending over a front portion of a shoe. An arcuate sidewall is coupled to a rear section of the base wall defining a heel cup for receiving and extending around a heel portion of the shoe. The front cup, the heel cup, and a medial section of the base wall define a cover. A strap extends from the cover for coupling the cover to the shoe such that the base wall extends along a sole of the shoe.

Abstract: An exercise system includes a foot harness and an undulation rope that can be connected to the foot harness. The foot harness includes a back rigid section, two side rigid sections, and a front rigid section. A harness coupling is fixed to at least one of the rigid sections. One or more side straps couple the back rigid section to the two side rigid sections and couple the front rigid section to the two side rigid sections. A bottom strap couples the two side rigid sections. A top strap also couples the two side rigid sections. A dorsal strap may be fixed to the front rigid section and looped over the top strap. One or more of the side and top straps may be adjustable. The undulation rope includes a rope coupling fixed adjacent an end of the rope to provide a detachable connection to the harness coupling.

Abstract: A sandal that includes loops extending around the periphery of the base of the sandal and a strap configured to connect to the loops and form an upper portion of the sandal. The sandals can include a base; a continuous cord that extends along the periphery of the upper surface of the base from a point near the toe end on one side of the base, around the heel end, and continues to a point near the toe end on the opposite side of the base; connectors that connect the cord to the base at spaced locations along the cord to thereby form loops along the base; and a strap. Each loop of the sandal can also include an identifier for each loop. Methods of forming an upper portion of a sandal and methods of forming a sandal.

Abstract: A foldable footwear comprising a sole fabricated using a single manufacturing casting, the sole comprising at least two portions, a front portion and a back portion and a groove in the ground side of the sole extending laterally from one side of the sole to the other side of the sole. The footwear can be folded in one direction only where the ground side of the sole is folded into itself.

Abstract: A piece of footwear includes ornamental protrusions made to resemble toes. The toe-shaped protrusions stick out beyond the user's toes and may include toenails or other designs. Decorations on the surface of the toes, such as lights or removable ornaments, augment the toes' design. The decorations may take the form of lights within the protrusions that activate selectively in response to the wearer's movement. The lights may be visible within recesses in the protrusions or through transparent or translucent coverings over the protrusions. The decorations may also take the form of self-adhesive ornaments such as stickers or gems that are provided to the user, allowing the user to customize the look of the toe protrusions through selection and positioning of the ornaments thereon. Ornaments may also include symbols which can be arranged to convey a message selected by the user. Ornaments may be removed and replaced or interchanged as desired.

Abstract: A footwear device for releaseably receiving footwear that has an upper surface, a sole, and a heel. The footwear device includes a sole having an upper surface and a ground-engaging surface, a forefoot support member extending from the sole to form a first loop, a heel support member extending from at least one of the sole and the forefoot support member to form a second loop. When footwear is inserted into the footwear device, the forefoot support member overlaps at least a portion of the upper surface of the footwear, the heel support member overlaps at least a portion of the heel of the footwear, and the sole of the footwear device substantially covers the sole of the footwear to protect the same.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a shoe cover. The shoe cover is useful for muffling sound of the wearer. The apparatus contains a padded sole, an encasing material, vertical straps, an attachment mechanism on the straps, and a replaceable cover. The replaceable cover can be substituted when the replaceable cover becomes worn or when a different type of cover is desirable.

Abstract: A shoe and boot, particularly for post-surgery, diabetic, or post-trauma use. It is intended to be worn by a patient who has a wound located on the forefoot and midfoot regions of the foot. An upper assembly and a lower assembly including a raised platform and a base platform. The raised platform has less longitudinal extent than the base platform. A gap is formed when a foot rests primarily upon the raised platform between the base platform and the bottom of the foot. A removable soft, cushioning insert may be placed into the gap. The inset can vary in height and density in order to provide optimum comfort throughout the various stages of the healing process.

Abstract: An overshoe that covers a footwear structure for protecting a walking surface. The overshoe includes a base and an upstanding portion, which extends around at least a portion of the base. A protrusion extends inwardly from an inner surface of the upstanding portion. The protrusion engages the footwear structure for releasably retaining the overshoe to the footwear structure.

Abstract: A spike saver for attachment for protecting a spike-bearing shoe that includes a sole for protecting the bottom of the spike-bearing shoes and with two double legged elastic straps attached to the sole at each side for releasably holding the spike-bearing shoes by means of hook and loop arrangement.

Abstract: An overshoe used while finishing concrete and worn over another article of footwear. The overshoe includes a flexible and resilient sole and a substantially flat and smooth outsole, which is substantially resistant to adhering to wet concrete and abrasion resistant. The overshoe further includes a strap, which securely holds the overshoe onto a work boot.

Abstract: An orthotic device that minimizes weight bearing on certain areas of a shoe being worn by a diabetic suffering from a diabetic foot ulcer, the device allows patients to live active lifestyles while being treated for diabetic foot ulcerations. The orthotic device purposely establishes three points of contact between the device and a shoe. The present device is used in conjunction with a shoe having a sole that defines a cutaway wherein an ulcerous foot wound would lie. The orthotic device comprises a shoe cartridge, the shoe cartridge has a first, second and third section, each section has a left and a right side, at least five L-shaped docks attached to the shoe cartridge, a support attached to the shoe cartridge, and at least five securing means, each securing means is attached to each L-shaped dock.

Abstract: A lightweight yet durable, self-adhering, protective overshoe with integrated cleaning bosses providing a more efficient and complete method for athletic cleat or boot cleaning, maintenance, handling and storage.

Abstract: A slipper comprises a base layer and a first attachment layer formed on the top surface of the base layer, the base layer including a toe support area, an arch support area and a heel support area, and having flexible property. As the user wears the slipper and stands on the floor, the first attachment layer is pressed to completely attach to his foot. As the user raises his foot, the slipper will still attach to the foot by using the first attachment layer and become deformable with the foot's arching posture.

Abstract: A cover for cleated shoes. The shoe cover has a ball area, a heel area, and a mid-foot area between the ball area and the heel area. At least the mid-foot area is formed of stretchable material and is thinner than the material forming the ball area and heel of the sole. An internal support member is located internally in the ball area and/or heel area of the sole. An upper portion extends upward from the sole portion and defines a toe cup and a heel cup, with the upper portion being formed of stretchable material in at least the mid-foot area, and which has an opening formed therein to allow shoe and/or foot access to the shoe cover.

Abstract: An apparatus (1,2,3,4) that is to be temporarily attached to the soles of ski boots, whenever the wearer is not attached to skis and desires the ability to comfortably walk or desires protection for the sole of the ski boots. The preferred embodiment generally comprises sandal type soles (4) made of a resilient, elastic springy material which aids in the natural walking action by alternately compressing and releasing, adding energy to the step, thereby aiding walking while wearing ski boots.

Abstract: A skate assembly has a boot having a substantially completely open base with a sole plate of more rigid material than the boot secured over the open base. The base has an opening extending along at least substantially the entire length of the boot from the heel to the toe, with side rims extending along opposite sides of the base opening. The sole plate may be releasably or permanently secured to the boot.

Abstract: This embodiment is named THE ADAPTABLE PERFORMANCE SOLE APPARATUS. Its purpose is to be adapted to the choice of footwear/bare feet thus enhancing the shock action and comfort regardless of the footwear it's being attached to. This adaptable performance sole apparatus gets its attach ability from straps and/or attaching mechanisms and can be attached to shoes, sneakers as well as bare feet. The shock producing element shown in FIG.

Abstract: A therapeutic sandal is provided that includes an upper component having a front strap assembly and a rear strap assembly for securing a foot to the upper component, and a lower component, cooperative with the upper component, having at least one fulcrum object attached to the bottom surface of the lower component. The lower component is replaceable with another lower component with at least one different fulcrum object attached thereto. The lower component has at least one or two compressible fulcrum objects thereto. The lower component can also have at least one substantially non-compressible fulcrum object attached to the bottom surface. The invention provides a means for effectively exercising different muscle groups of the legs. The therapeutic sandals can be advantageously used by young children, in part due to the element of novelty and fun provided by wearing and using them, thereby encouraging a child to continue their use.

Abstract: The overshoe for running is a protective and padded overshoe adapted to be worn over a running shoe or the like in order to provide additional shock absorption and padding for running on hard surfaces, such as pavement, cement and the like. The overshoe is in the form of a unitary body formed from a resilient material. The unitary body includes a sole having opposed upper and lower surfaces, and a peripheral wall extending from the periphery of the upper surface of the sole. The peripheral wall and the sole define an open interior region adapted for receiving the shoe. The overshoe is preferably dimensioned and configured to snugly receive the shoe so that the overshoe is removably secured thereto during use. An additional releasable fastener may be added for further securing the unitary body to the shoe.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to footwear where the tongue, or strap, may be reversed, in order to change the aesthetics, coloration, indicia, or other appearance of the footwear. A sandal has an outer strap that reverses upon manipulation by the wearer, where the outer strap turns to expose one surface, which may have a stylized and attractive finish provided thereon, or it may be reversed, so as to change the coloration, indicia, design, or other appearance aspects of the sandal. Alternatively, the outer strap joins to a strap designed to contact the instep of a foot. Rotation of the outer strap occurs without removal of a foot from the strap or the sandal.

Abstract: A footwear article is formed by providing at least one spent automobile tire having a tread, separating a portion of the tread of the tire, trimming the separated portion into the general shape of a foot and securing the separated portion to a top sole portion. The bottom sole portion of the footwear article has a generally, non-uniform thickness and irregular pattern. The bottom sole portion can fixer have elements of a scrub pattern indicator element, a tie bar indicator and/or a ply fragment visible on an outer edge thereof.

Abstract: An overshoe used while finishing concrete and worn over another article of footwear. The overshoe includes a flexible and resilient sole and a substantially flat and smooth outsole, which is substantially resistant to adhering to wet concrete and abrasion resistant. The overshoe further includes a strap, which securely holds the overshoe onto a work boot.

Abstract: A cushioning attachment for shoes including athletic shoes and, in particular, running shoes includes two component features: a cushioning feature, and a resilient/traction feature. In addition, the cushioning attachment can include a securing feature for securing the device to the outsole of the shoe of a wearer In the cushioning attachments, the cushioning feature is typically a first layer of the attachment while the resilient/traction feature is typically a second layer of the attachment. In one aspect, a cushioning attachment has a shape suitable for attaching to the outsole of a shoe and comprises: a. a first upper layer comprising a cushioning material; b. a second lower layer comprising a resilient material; c. a securing means for permanently or removably attaching the cushioning attachment to a shoe. In another aspect, a cushioning attachment for a shoe comprises: a. a first upper layer comprising an anti-fatigue material; b. a second lower layer comprising a wear resistant material; c.

Abstract: A disposable protective sole is adapted for wear on a foot or shoe of a user. The protective sole includes a multilayer composite having opposing inside and outside major surfaces. The outside major surface is textured to resist slippage of the protective sole on an underlying surface. A pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied to the innside major surface of the composite, and is adapted for removably attaching the protective sole to the foot or shoe of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus, in its first, second, and third embodiments, that is intended to be temporarily attached to the soles of ski boots, whenever the wearer is not attached to skis and desires the ability to comfortably walk or desires protection for the soles of the ski boots. The first three embodiments generally comprise of sandal-like soles made of a resilient, elastic, springy material, which aids in the natural walking action by alternately compressing and releasing, adding energy to the step, thereby aiding walking while wearing ski boots. A fourth embodiment is made by altering the ski boots themselves so that the heel (41) and toe (40) sections of the boot are hinged (42) to the underside of the boot, and contain a spring that adds energy to each step taken by the user. The hinged sections are pinned against the boot while skiing.

Abstract: The sand walking sandal is a hinged sandal for walking on sand having a forward sole section with a foot receiving portion located thereon and an extended forward sole width portion extending outward and laterally from the foot receiving portion. A rearward sole section has a foot receiving portion located thereon, an extended rearward sole width portion extending outward and laterally from the foot receiving portion, and a rearward sole section length extension projecting rearward from the foot receiving portion. A flexible hinge joins the forward and rearward sole sections together, allowing each of the sole sections to angularly rotate about the flexible hinge independent of each other. A foot retaining thong or footwear retaining straps are mounted on the foot receiving portion for securing a user's foot to the hinged sandal.

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 defme 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: A universal footwear includes removable cleats employable during indoor and outdoor activities such as sports, for example. The footwear includes a sole having toe, arch and heel portions respectively. Such a toe portion is provided with a plurality of receptacles, the arch portion includes a gel pack, and the heel has a bottom surface provided with a plurality of receptacles spaced thereabout. The apparatus further includes a body secured to the sole and a plurality of traversing straps extending thereacross for assisting to maintain an operator's foot at a stable position. A plurality of cleats are provided and are removably engageable with said plurality of receptacles, as desired by a user. One pair of shoes can be used for more than one sport thereby allowing a user to attach cleats to the shoe for any sport or remove all cleats from the shoe for casual wear.

Abstract: A resilient anti-fatigue layer shaped to fit under the sole and heel of a shoe of a wearer includes a mat of fibers heat bonded together with a tight surface against the sole and a loose surface against the floor. The mat of fibers includes a generally flat portion shaped to match the bottom of the shoe and a plurality of tabs formed of the mat at the edges of the bottom portion and projecting beyond the edges of the bottom portion with at least one tab at the front, two tabs at the rear and at least one tab at each side, with each tab having attached thereto a respective strap. The straps provide a on each side a single strap which extends from the front side connection tab, through slots provided in a toe connection member to the rear side tabs, to the heel tabs and over the foot.

Abstract: An overshoe that covers a shoe or boot for isolating the mud, dirt, grass, debris, or contaminated fluid on the shoe or boot from clean surfaces. The article has a front upright and a rear upright with built-in retaining protrusions that grab and hold onto the shoe or boot when it is inserted inside the article. A base with a fabric liner absorbs mud and liquid. The bottom of the base is provides traction and prevents slippage. The base also has a tab for easy removal of the overshoe from the shoe or boot.

Abstract: A traction system for use on conventional flexible footwear is provided that includes both toe and heel sections that are independently attached to a wearer's footwear and are connected with a flexible linkage. The flexible linkage allows the traction system to move with the normal movement of the flexible footwear so as to provide a natural walking and running movement. The traction system provides numerous benefits over previously available crampon and other spiked traction systems, including flexibility, light weight, practical usability with a wide variety of footwear types—including highly flexible footwear such as running shoes, compactability, and ready adjustability between different sizes and types of footwear.

Abstract: A stilt assembly with interchangeable sections for varying the height thereof. A base assembly, middle assembly and foot support assembly include puzzle registries which allow for the stilt to be assembled with two assemblies (base and foot support assemblies only) for a shorter configuration, or with three assemblies (base, middle, and foot support assemblies) for a taller configuration. A foam spacer block provides height spacing in at least one assembly, and provide shock absorption and fail-safe height support, without failure-prone mechanical mechanisms.

Abstract: A shoe cover has an upper and a sole connected to the upper. The upper includes at least one, self-supporting and resilient shoe admission portion connected to the sole. The shoe admission portion has an inwardly inclined lead-in surface extending toward the sole, and an overhang surface extending from the lead-in surface toward the sole portion. The overhang surface is adapted to form an undercut area so that a shoe to be held to the shoe cover first engages and slides along the inclined lead-in surface to resiliently expand the admission portion outwardly without being crushed, and then slides into engagement with the overhang surface to enter the undercut area. A length adjusting mechanism may be provided for adjusting the length of the sole.

Abstract: A resilient anti-fatigue layer shaped to fit under the sole and heel of a shoe of a wearer includes a mat of fibers heat bonded together with a tight surface against the sole and a loose surface against the floor. The mat of fibers includes a generally flat portion shaped to match the bottom of the shoe and a plurality of tabs formed of the mat at the edges of the bottom portion and projecting beyond the edges of the bottom portion with at least one tab at the front, two tabs at the rear and at least one tab at each side, with each tab having attached thereto a respective strap. The straps provide a on each side a single strap which extends from the front side connection tab, through slots provided in a toe connection member to the rear side tabs, to the heel tabs and over the foot.

Abstract: A land mine pressure fuse avoidance system has a base. A tread on the base contacts the ground around a land mine and independently distributes pressures around the ground. The tread has plural independent closed cell foam rubber elements. Each element is separated from adjacent elements for independently supporting only a portion of a load on the base, while other similarly independent elements support remaining portion of the load. The base is a cylindrical tire, a continuous track, a shoe sole attachment or a robotic foot, and the tread is conformed to and extends outward from the base. The independent elements of the tread are made of closed cell foam rubber formed as a tread on the base with notches between adjacent elements of the tread. Notches extend longitudinally along the tread, and notches extend across the tread, forming block shaped elements extending from the base.

Abstract: Footwear, in the category of a sandal, and which may include a thong, slide-on, clog, or related structured sandal, wherein one side or the other of a tongue, upper vamp, or sandal strap may be adhered to an upper part of the sandal sole, or its vamp or cross strap, so that one side of the sandal strap structure may be displayed during its wearing, and can be turned to expose its opposite surface for varying the styling of the worn sandal. The tongue, upper vamp, or strap may be secured by a fastening device, such as a swivel, that allows for turning of these components to expose a selected surface in order to vary the aesthetics and appearance of the worn sandal.