Abstract: An article of footwear including a dual lacing system is disclosed. The article of footwear includes a first lace and a second lace. The first lace and the second lace include portions that are interdigitated, these portions being disposed towards an entry hole of the upper. The laces also include provisions for releasably fastening to the sides of the article of footwear.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe in which the specific characteristics of the midsole, namely the width, length, thickness and front/rear profile thereof, midsole materials used with a certain type of deformation (Shore hardness and elasticity), and lateral reinforcements emerging from the midsole and surrounding the upper are suitable for increasing in an extremely noticeable manner both the performance (speed and reduced fatigue) and the user comfort (reduced impact on knees, back, leg muscles), for use when jogging or walking on uneven outdoor surfaces, as well as for jogging or walking on roads. Furthermore, the characteristics of the midsole (spike surface and deformation in contact with the ground) improve the safety of the user by providing enhanced grip on sloping terrain, as well as on snow-covered or wet terrain.

Abstract: A shoe body including an upper operably connected with an outsole. The shoe body has a front portion and a back portion. An insole is disposed inside the shoe upper and has a substantially inelastic heel portion and a substantially elastic toe portion. A substantially rigid pressure plate is adjacent to the substantially elastic toe portion.

Abstract: A shoe including a sole 1 for absorbing an impact of landing, an upper 2 for wrapping around an instep, and shoelace means 3 for fitting the upper 2 to the instep, the upper 2 including: a main portion 2M covering a medial side surface, a lateral side surface, a toe, the instep and a back surface of a foot; a side edge portion having a plurality of first eyelets H1; a first side panel 51 covering the medial side surface of the foot; and a second side panel 52 covering the lateral side surface of the foot, wherein each side panel includes: a tip portion 53 having a second eyelet H2 which is provided at a tip of the side panel and which the shoelace means passes through and engages with; a bottom portion 54 attached to the main portion and/or the sole; and a middle portion 55 arranged between the tip portion and the bottom portion so as to allow the tip portion to move in the front-back direction of the foot with respect to the bottom portion, wherein with at least one of the side panels, the middle portion 55

Abstract: A shoe having a sole, an upper including a first opening and a second opening, and shoelace means, the upper including: a first side edge portion having a plurality of first eyelets; a second side edge portion arranged between the plurality of first eyelets and having one or more second eyelets which the shoelace means engages with; a movable portion for allowing the second eyelet to move with respect to the first eyelets both in a transverse direction across the second opening and a diagonal front-back direction that is perpendicular to the transverse direction and is extending along the instep; and a main portion covering a medial side surface, a lateral side surface, a toe, the instep and a back surface of a foot, the main portion including the first side edge portion and excluding the second side edge portion and the movable portion; the second eyelet is relatively displaced via the movable portion with respect to the main portion both in the transverse direction and the diagonal front-back direction in r

Abstract: The present invention relates to a textile web material having improved mechanical strength, in particular having resistance to piercing and/or shooting, having a protective function against chemical and/or biological toxins, in particular weapon agents. The textile web material according to the invention comprises a multilayer construction, wherein the layer construction comprises at least one layer resistant to piercing and/or shooting, and at least one adsorption layer based on discrete adsorption particles.

Abstract: Various articles, such as footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, watchbands, and the like, and methods of forming those articles are presented. The articles are generally formed, in whole or in part, using rapid manufacturing techniques, such as laser sintering, stereolithography, solid deposition modeling, and the like. The use of rapid manufacturing allows for relatively economical and time efficient manufacture of customized articles. Portions of the articles may be manufactured using rapid manufacturing and those portions may be joined with portions formed using conventional, non-rapid manufacturing techniques. The methods may also include performing a scan of an appropriate body part of a user, such as a foot, in order to create a customized article of footwear for the user.

Abstract: Various articles, such as footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, watchbands, and the like, and methods of forming those articles are presented. The articles are generally formed, in whole or in part, using rapid manufacturing techniques, such as laser sintering, stereolithography, solid deposition modeling, and the like. The use of rapid manufacturing allows for relatively economical and time efficient manufacture of customized articles. The articles may include one or more reinforcements configured to provide added durability to various regions of the articles. In addition, the articles may be formed from two or more materials in a single rapid manufacturing process. The rapid manufacturing additive fabrication technique may also include using of varying intensities of the laser to fuse material to form the articles.

Abstract: A layered adaptive membrane structure that has movable membranes is provided. The structure can change its gas, liquid and/or particulate permeability in response to surrounding environmental conditions. Applications include protective apparel that is comfortable to wear wherein the level of protection provided is based on conditions in the environment. Hence, the protective apparel is highly breathable and comfortable in a non-hazardous environment but impermeable or only semipermeable in a hazardous environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a closing part (1) for a shoe (2) that includes an upper (3) comprising an open area (5) for facilitating the insertion of the foot into said shoe (2), said closing part (1) being designed so as to close said open area (5), said closing part (1) being characterized in that it comprises a unitary portion (100) to be attached to said upper (3) by means of at least first and second zip fasteners provided on either side of said open area (5), respectively. The invention also relates to a shoe closing device.

Abstract: A cork and silicone elastomer composite used to fabricate elements to protect body parts including a prosthetic roll-on liner for receiving and covering a residual limb, shoes for the feet, gloves for the hands and shoe insoles including the processes of manufacture.

Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber may have a barrier, a stacked tensile member, and a fluid. The barrier may be formed from a polymer material that is sealed to define an interior void. The stacked tensile member may be located within the interior void and includes a first tensile element and a second tensile element that are joined to each other. Additionally, opposite sides of the stacked tensile member are joined to the barrier. The fluid is located within the interior void and may be pressurized to place an outward force upon the barrier and induce tension in the stacked tensile member. In some configurations, each of the tensile elements may be a spacer textile.

Abstract: Disclosed is a buckle device that releasably locks an elastic band including a plurality of engaging portions in a lengthwise direction. The buckle device includes a buckle holder and a pair of slide buckles slidably fitted to the buckle holder. The buckle holder includes a pair of locking pins apart from each other and a pair of guide surfaces. A pair of elastic bands are hung on the locking pins respectively. The guide surfaces are inclined in opposite directions with respect to a plane passing through the pair of the locking pins. The slide buckle has a ratchet protrusion configured to engage the engaging portion of the elastic band and a slide surface configured to come into surface contact with the guide surface of the buckle holder.

Abstract: An article of footwear or another product may incorporate a pressure chamber that includes (a) a bladder at least partially formed from a polymer material that is sealed to enclose a pressurized fluid and (b) a strand wound around the bladder and secured to the bladder. In manufacturing the pressure chamber, a bladder with an elongate configuration may be formed. A strand is wound around the bladder, and the strand is secured to the bladder. When incorporated to a sole structure of the article of footwear, for example, a portion of the bladder that includes the strands may be exposed at an outer surface of the sole structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe, especially to a sports shoe, comprising a shoe upper (1) and a sole (2), wherein at least one actuator (3) is arranged in the sole (2), by means of which a region of the contact surface (4) for the foot of the wearer of the shoe can be affected with regard to the geometry of the contact surface (4) at least in a defined length range (BL) and/or width range (BB) of the sole (2) relatively to the position of the contact surface (5) of the sole (2) on the ground.

Abstract: Fibers, such as textile fibers, having electrical components deposited thereon. More particularly, one or more electrical components are formed directly onto the surface of at least one fiber. The fiber having the electrical component formed thereon may then be interlaced with other fibers to form a larger piece of fabric, which can be employed to produce an article of clothing. A group of transistors and piezoelectric components forming an accelerometer may be woven onto one or more natural or synthetic fibers. The fibers may then be employed as the warp, weft, or both, of a woven piece of fabric, or used to form a knitted piece of fabric. The fabric piece can then be cut and sewn to form a wearable item, such as a shirt, a pair of pants, a hat, or the upper piece of a shoe that includes the accelerometer.

Abstract: An article of footwear with a sole that includes a plurality of vertical grooves is disclosed. The plurality of vertical grooves may be disposed on a sidewall and a lower portion of the sole. The vertical grooves can facilitate twisting of the sole.

Abstract: A combination apparatus for footwear including a first apparatus into which an individual's foot can be inserted, and a second apparatus into which the individual's foot can be inserted. The second apparatus is adapted to be inserted into the first apparatus. The first apparatus includes a first attachment device, and the second apparatus includes a second attachment device. In at least one embodiment the second apparatus and the first apparatus can be attached, while the second apparatus is inserted into the first apparatus by attaching the first attachment device to the second attachment device. The first apparatus may be a flip-flop or a sandal and the second apparatus may be a slipper and may be made of water proof material.

Abstract: A method of forming an article of footwear includes injecting a first material into a first cavity of a mold assembly to form a sole assembly, injecting a second material into a second cavity of the mold assembly, a first last being suspended within the second cavity, to form an upper of the article of footwear about the first last. The upper and the sole assembly are positioned in contact with one another. The upper and the sole assembly are cured and bonded together to form an article of footwear. The article of footwear is removed from the mold assembly and from the first last and allowed to expand to a first size. The article of footwear is placed on a second last having a second size that is smaller than the first size, and heated and cooled until it shrinks to the second size.

Abstract: A bonded mesh composite panel can be used to form a three-dimensional upper shell that includes extensions used for double-lasting and/or to otherwise provide a shelf to support foam padding. The foam padding may be, e.g., a foam midsole. The extensions of the upper shell may be located in a lower portion of the shell and may be bonded to the foam midsole in a heel, midfoot and/or forefoot regions.

Abstract: An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes a base layer, a plurality of strand segments, and a deposition layer. The a base layer has a first surface and an opposite second surface. The strand segments are located adjacent to the first surface and extend substantially parallel to the first surface for a distance of at least five centimeters. The deposition layer is deposited upon the first surface and the strand segments, and the deposition layer is joined with the first surface and the strand segments.

Abstract: A waterproof and vapor-permeable shoe, comprising a sole, provided with a vapor permeation region, an assembly insole, which is covered, toward the sole, by at least one first gasket made of waterproof material, which has at least one vapor-permeable or perforated portion above the vapor permeation region, which, once assembled, covers an upper shoe assembly, which comprises at least one vapor-permeable lining, a vapor-permeable upper, and a waterproof and vapor-permeable upper membrane that is between them, the upper shoe assembly being associated with the assembly insole, and at least one second gasket, which adheres so to form a waterproof seal to the first gasket and is glued to the lower edge of the upper, the second gasket forming a waterproof sealing region of the upper shoe assembly and the first gasket to the sole.

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. 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: Porous adaptive membrane structures having movable membranes are provided. The structures can be made to change their gas, liquid and/or particulate permeability in response to surrounding environmental conditions. Applications include protective apparel that is comfortable to wear wherein the level of protection provided is based on conditions in the environment. Hence, the protective apparel is highly breathable and comfortable in a non-hazardous environment but impermeable or only semipermeable in a hazardous environment.

Abstract: A combination sock and shoe includes a shoe sole, an exterior sock that is secured to the shoe sole, an intermediate sock positioned inside the exterior sock, and an interior sock positioned inside the exterior sock and inside the intermediate sock. The intermediate sock is constructed as an anklet having an elastic ankle opening. The exterior and interior socks conceal the intermediate sock from view by sandwiching the intermediate sock between them. When a wearer's foot is inserted into the combination sock and shoe, the elastic ankle opening of the intermediate sock securely engages around the ankle of the wearer's foot and holds the wearer's foot to the shoe sole, thereby preventing the shoe sole from separating away from the heel of the wearer's foot during walking.

Abstract: An instructional shoelace tying system. Identical identifiers are positioned on a right free end of a shoelace. Different identical identifiers are then positioned on the left free end of the shoelace. Another identifier might be positioned between the first set of identifiers. Kids can utilize such generally elongated hollow identifiers to quickly learn how to tie their shoelaces.

Abstract: A footwear and footwear construction method that creates the footwear upper sleeve (shoe upper) using at least two overlapping, layered panels of fabric oriented 90 degrees with respect to each other. A lacing system creates a support cage for the foot, which is independent from the footwear upper. The lacing support cage can be asymmetrical in several respects to accommodate the physically asymmetrical shape of the foot. The lacing system includes fingers independent from the footwear upper. The fingers then end in lace eyelets.

Abstract: Children's footwear, garments, and fashion accessories with an accompanying kit containing interchangeable design pieces which the child may attach and arrange on the footwear, garment, or fashion accessory allowing for artistic creation and self-expression.

Abstract: Porous adaptive membrane structures having movable membranes are provided. The structures can be made to change their gas, liquid and/or particulate permeability in response to surrounding environmental conditions. Applications includes protective apparel that is comfortable to wear wherein the level of protection provided is based on conditions in the environment. Hence, the protective apparel is highly breathable and comfortable in a non-hazardous environment but impermeable or only semipermeable in a hazardous environment.

Abstract: Shoes specifically designed to facilitate production via efficient shoe manufacturing methods and systems are described. In embodiments, the shoe upper is designed by way of a flat forming process, whereby the upper pattern is kept in a two-dimensional shape for most of the upper assembly and then stitched or otherwise affixed into a three-dimensional form in the final stage of upper assembly.

Abstract: A rotationally adjustable display device is described. In some embodiments, the device invention comprises a base plate that includes an interior face, an exterior face, and a channel extending through the interior and exterior faces. The device further comprises a locking disk that includes a securing post extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom. The securing post is dimensioned to pass through the channel of the base plate. The device further includes a display element having an outer face and an inner face. A rotation selection post extending substantially perpendicularly from the inner face and has an outer surface including a series of facing surfaces and an inner channel dimensioned to accept and engage the securing post. The device further comprises a rotation selection plate. The display device is substantially rotationally immobilized when the securing post is engaged with the inner channel of the rotation selection post.

Abstract: An article of footwear with an integral upper and sole and a method of assembling the article of footwear are disclosed. The method includes folding the article of footwear from a flat configuration and attaching top and bottom lateral edges to form the article of footwear. A kit of parts containing an article of footwear with an integral upper and sole and a set of instructions is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to footwear, such as a boots and shoes, and in particular to footwear having a removable element, such as a liner, that includes temperature control elements for controllably regulating and/or altering the temperature of the footwear and thus the wearer's foot. Various embodiments also include an electrical contact in the foot bed adapted to couple to the temperature control element in the liner, and a power source, controller, and actuator coupled to the footwear upper.

Abstract: Customized articles of footwear are produced by providing options and graphics that are selected by a customer when submitting a custom order at a retail facility. The graphics are selected from a catalog while the options, such as a shoe model or a shoe size, are selected at an order interface rendered at a computing device. The computing device processes the order by uploading printing instructions associated with the customer-selected graphic or by converting specifications of the order into the printing instructions. The printing instructions are passed to a printer that is configured to move inkjet nozzles in a pattern and, concurrently, control a timed release of coloring agent from the inkjet nozzles based on the printing instructions. Releasing the coloring agent over the article of footwear physically applies a design thereto, which substantially resembles the customer-selected graphic. An oven typically cures the design via infrared heat over a timeframe.

Abstract: A system and method for customizing the look of footwear. The footwear of the system includes a display that can show high resolution images and covers a large portion of the footwear surface. A user can create and transfer designs to be displayed. Designs can be bought or shared over the Internet. The system also allows the user to use a handheld device to detect the color of another object and then display substantially the same color in pixels of the display.

Abstract: The present application discloses a composite pad structure that includes a substrate bonded to a plurality of discrete, spaced-apart, resilient elements engaged to at least one reinforcing structure.

Abstract: A valve for magnetorheological fluids is formed with a control duct in which the magnetic field of a magnetic device, consisting of a permanent magnet and coil, acts on the fluid. The viscosity of the fluid is directly proportional to the magnetic field strength, with the result that the flow resistance of the valve can be varied via the coil current. The respective control duct is arranged in the end-face region of the coil and runs radially with respect to the center line of the valve, with the result that high flux densities can be achieved in the control duct. A permanent magnet is arranged in the inner space of the coil and, even under currentless operating conditions, can close the valve up to a certain blocking pressure.

Abstract: A non-woven textile may be formed from a plurality of thermoplastic polymer filaments. The non-woven textile may have a first region and a second region, with the filaments of the first region being fused to a greater degree than the filaments of the second region. A variety of products, including apparel (e.g., shirts, pants, footwear), may incorporate the non-woven textile. In some of these products, the non-woven textile may be joined with another textile element to form a seam. More particularly, an edge area of the non-woven textile may be heatbonded with an edge area of the other textile element at the seam. In other products, the non-woven textile may be joined with another component, whether a textile or a non-textile.

Abstract: Articles of apparel comprising insulating components having insulating structures with low thermal conductivity. Preferred insulating components for use in apparel have an insulating structure comprising a gas impermeable envelope and a porous material contained within the envelope where the insulating structure has a thermal conductivity of less than or equal to 25 mW/m K.

Abstract: In a molded composite article formed by directly bonding a resin member comprising a polyamide-series resin to a resin member comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane-series resin, the polyamide-series resin comprises a polyamide block copolymer containing (A) a polyether segment having at least one terminal imino group. The polyamide-series resin may comprise a polyamide-series resin having a free amino group in a concentration of not less than about 10 mmol/kg. The molded composite article is producible, for example, by heating at least one of the polyamide-series resin and the thermoplastic polyurethane-series resin to bond the former to the latter. Thus obtained molded composite article is suitable for a member of a shoe and an industrial roll. In such a process, the polyamide-series resin member and the thermoplastic polyurethane-series resin member both of which are different in nature from each other can be directly and firmly bonded together.

Abstract: The invention provides polyolefin blend compositions of polar and/or non-polar polymers, with at least one functionalized polyolefin polymer selected from the group consisting of: amine functionalized, hydroxyl functionalized, imide functionalized, anhydride functionalized, or carboxylic acid functionalized polyolefin polymers. The invention also provides methods for making the functionalized polyolefin polymer. The invention also provides for materials and articles containing at least one component prepared from such compositions.

Abstract: A protective assembly for a limb, in particular the shaft-forming part of a motorcycle boot, which is designed to protect the tibia of the motorcyclist. The inventive assembly includes: an essentially tubular body (2) including a slit, which extends along a longitudinal axis (6) and which is designed to fit around the limb; a rigid tongue (10) which is designed to cover the front part of the body and which extends along both sides of the slit; and a flange (12) which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction between the edges of the slit, the flange being adjustably-connected to the body on either side of the slit so that the distance between the edges can be adjusted. The aforementioned tongue is mounted to the flange such that it can slide freely and the tongue and the body co-operate in order automatically to align the tongue in relation to the slit.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a waterproof and vapor-permeable shoe, including preparing a semi-manufactured component of an upper for a shoe, to be arranged spread out on one or two flat surfaces, arranging on the inner part of the semi-manufactured component of an upper a waterproof and vapor-permeable membrane, then preparing an adhesive bonding between the semi-manufactured component of an upper and the membrane so as to not inhibit the vapor-permeability of the assembly. Flat shapes, suitable of shaping complementarily with respect to different thicknesses of stitched seams and of superimposed parts are prepared, and the membrane is coupled to the semi-manufactured component of an upper, with the outer part arranged resting on the shape. The upper is finished associated with an insole, and a sole.

Abstract: A web comprising a matrix fiber containing a non-elastic polyester based short fiber and an elastic composite fiber which is made of a thermoplastic elastomer having a melting point of at least 40° C. lower than a melting point of a polyester polymer constituting the short fiber and a non-elastic polyester, with the former being at least exposed on a surface of the fiber, and optionally a hygroscopic and exothermic fiber is heat molded such that the fibers are aligned in a thickness direction thereof, thereby obtaining a mat layer, onto which is then stuck a surface skin material to form an internal material of shoe, and a shoe insole and a boot are obtained by using the internal material of shoe.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided to reduce a foot drop condition. In an embodiment, an adjustable apparatus includes a lower leg member that can be secured to a lower leg portion of a user. The lower leg member can be adjustably and releasably coupled to a user's footwear to assist in orienting the user's foot at a desired orientation. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a molded brace member that can be secured to a user's lower leg below the calf. The molded brace member can be sized and dimensioned to correspond to the associated measurements of the lower leg of a user afflicted with a foot drop condition. A lacing member can be coupled to the user's footwear and coupled to the molded brace member to orient the user's foot at a desired orientation.

Abstract: Devices and methods for preventing ankle sprain injuries. To protect the ankle joint from acute ankle supination or inversion sprain injuries, the device comprises a sensing part configured to sense data of an ankle motion; an analyzing part configured to analyze the data to judge whether the motion is a sprain motion; and a stimulating part configured to stimulate one or more lower limb muscles against the motion in light of a result of the analyzing. The method also involves sensing data of an ankle motion; analyzing the data to judge whether the motion is a sprain motion; and stimulating one or more lower limb muscles against the motion if the motion is a sprain motion.

Abstract: Foot impression generating apparatus comprising impression platforms including buns of open-cell sponge material bonded to an supporting non-porous skins formed of non-blown sponge material is utilized for making foot impressions by a consumer. The sponge material comprises a blended mixture of elastomeric thermosetting material and low melting temperature thermoplastic material chosen such that the buns and skins are respectively flexible and then become rigid when heated and then cooled above and below the plastic temperature range of the thermoplastic material. The consumer steps into heated impression platforms to form the foot impressions and then they are cooled and “frozen” in place. Next, scanning means are used to create a digital contour map of the foot impressions. Then a digitally controlled milling machine is utilized for forming shoe inserts in conformance with the digital contour map.

Abstract: An article includes a membrane having pores and a selectively permeable coating supported by the membrane. The selectively permeable coating includes an antimicrobial agent in an amount that is sufficient to chemically react with a chemical or microbial agent to reduce the biological activity of the chemical or microbial agent or increase an amount of time for a significant amount of unreacted biologically active chemical or microbial agent to pass through the article. A laminate and methods of providing these are also provided.

Abstract: A combination sock and shoe includes a shoe sole, an exterior sock that is secured to the shoe sole, an intermediate sock positioned inside the exterior sock, and an interior sock positioned inside the exterior sock and inside the intermediate sock. The intermediate sock is constructed as an anklet having an elastic ankle opening. The exterior and interior socks conceal the intermediate sock from view by sandwiching the intermediate sock between them. When a wearer's foot is inserted into the combination sock and shoe, the elastic ankle opening of the intermediate sock securely engages around the ankle of the wearer's foot and holds the wearer's foot to the shoe sole, thereby preventing the shoe sole from separating away from the heel of the wearer's foot during walking.

Abstract: An abcite reinforced leather and a method for producing the abcite reinforced leather for use in making shoes, gloves and garments. Abcite pellets are ground into a fine powder and floated in a carrier so that they penetrate the fiber structure of a tanned skin. The abcite particles bond to the fiber structure and provide enhanced abrasion resistance and tensile strength to the leather. This abcite impregnated leather can be used to make gloves, shoes and garments. Also, abcite powder can be added to the surface to make the surface more durable and abrasion resistant.