Abstract: Articles of footwear may have an upper that includes a knit element and a tongue. The knit element defines a portion of an exterior surface and an opposite interior surface of the upper, with the interior surface defining a void for receiving a foot. The tongue is formed of unitary knit construction with the knit element and extends through a throat area of the upper.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes a knitted component and, in some configurations, a skin layer secured to the knitted component. The knitted component may have a plurality of protruding areas that extend outward and away from a void within the upper for receiving a foot of a wearer. The protruding areas may include one or both of (a) a first tubular structure and an inlaid strand extending through the first tubular structure and (b) a second tubular structure and yarn sections extending across the second tubular structure.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes a knitted component and, in some configurations, a skin layer secured to the knitted component. The knitted component may have a plurality of protruding areas that extend outward and away from a void within the upper for receiving a foot of a wearer. The protruding areas may include one or both of (a) a first tubular structure and an inlaid strand extending through the first tubular structure and (b) a second tubular structure and yarn sections extending across the second tubular structure.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes a knitted component and, in some configurations, a skin layer secured to the knitted component. The knitted component may have a plurality of protruding areas that extend outward and away from a void within the upper for receiving a foot of a wearer. The protruding areas may include one or both of (a) a first tubular structure and an inlaid strand extending through the first tubular structure and (b) a second tubular structure and yarn sections extending across the second tubular structure.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes a knitted component and, in some configurations, a skin layer secured to the exterior surface of the knitted component. The knitted component may an asymmetric interior layer secured to the interior surface of the knitted component. The asymmetric interior layer has varying medial and lateral portions that provide for different amounts of feel and cushioning along the varying sides of the upper. The asymmetric interior layer includes a lining layer and a connecting layer that join to form the asymmetric interior layer. Other interior layer features are provided, including collar portions and a heel pad that extends along the heel region of the knitted component from a sockliner to an opening on an ankle cuff of the knitted component.

Abstract: An article of footwear may incorporate various elements that are at least partially formed through a knitting process, such as a circular knitting process or a flat knitting process. Examples of the elements include tongue elements, collar elements, and collar-throat elements. In some configurations, the elements include compressible areas and flange areas. The compressible areas may include foam cores or floating yarns that impart compressibility, and the flange areas may be utilized to join the components to the article of footwear.

Abstract: An improved structure of shoe includes a first shoe body, which has a first opening, and a second shoe body, which has a second opening. The first shoe body is received in the second shoe body and the first opening is combined with the second opening to form a shoe body combination having a third opening. The third opening receives a foot of wearer therein. The shoe body combination is of a woven formation. A support structure is coupled to the shoe body combination to support the shoe body combination.

Abstract: An orthopedic boot has two leg supports connected adjustably to a foot support via two joint assemblies. Each joint assembly has a securing panel, a connecting panel, a guide panel, two limiting members and two holding members. The securing panel is mounted securely on the foot support and has two engaging grooves each having engaging cavities. The connecting panel is mounted securely to one leg support and is pivotally connected to the securing panel. The limiting members has a resilient segment, an engaging pin and a locking tab. The engaging pin is mounted slidably in one of the engaging grooves, engages one of the engaging cavities and selectively abuts the connecting panel. The locking tab is spaced from a periphery of the guide panel to define a locking gap. The holding members are held respectively in the locking gaps and abut respectively against the locking tabs.

Abstract: A footwear, more particularly a slipper, comprising bottom portion including a cushioned sole and an air bellow-actuated mechanism utilizing a flat tensioning device to control the movement of portions of the slippers thereby providing an animated function such as an extension of a portion of a character positioned on the plush top of the slipper actuated as a result of the movement of the wearer of the slipper.

Abstract: A structure of areca palm made footwear includes an insole and an outsole. The insole is formed by cutting areca palm leaves to a desired size. The outsole is bonded to the insole. As such, a wearer's foot, when putting on the footwear, is set in contact with the insole made of areca palm leaves, whereby besides being environmentally friendly, the footwear can keep the wearer's sole dry by allowing humidity to be absorbed by the areca palm leaf.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper, including a skin layer forming at least a portion of an external surface of the upper. The upper may also include a reinforcing material selectively located internal and adjacent to portions of the skin layer, thereby defining reinforced portions of the skin layer and unreinforced portions of the skin layer. The reinforcing material may be selectively joined with the skin layer at a bonded area by welding, the bonded area having an externally exposed surface that defines a portion of the external surface of the upper. In addition, the skin layer may have a first color and the externally exposed surface of the bonded area may have a second color that is different from the first color.

Abstract: Footwear providing a near-barefoot experience. This footwear consists of socks whose soles are coated with an elastomeric material that uses body heat and weight to provide the “feel” of a second skin.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to footwear and methods for making the same, more particularly to a seamless upper for footwear and methods for making a seamless upper. In one aspect of the invention, the upper is seamless and/or is of unitary construction that defines an interior void for comfortably receiving a foot.

Abstract: Articles of footwear are described that incorporate a knitted component that has an upper and an integral knit tongue. The integral knit tongue is formed of unitary knit construction with the upper and extends through a throat area of the knitted component. The integral knit tongue includes raised elements formed of unitary knit construction with the tongue. Methods of manufacturing a knitted component for an article of footwear may include knitting the upper and the integral knit tongue during a knitting process on a knitting machine.

Abstract: Waterproof footwear having a liner material, insole, and sealing carrier are described herein. The sealing carrier includes one or more layers containing a flowable polymer adapted to flow upon application of energy in order to impart a waterproof seal.

Abstract: A coconut fibre shoe includes a shoe sole having a foot engaging upper surface and a ground engaging lower surface. The sole consists of strands of coconut fibre held in position by a binding agent which coats the coconut fibres leaving the upper surface roughened as a result of underlying coconut fibres. Air passages extend through the shoe sole to provide air circulation to the upper surface. A waterproof coating seals the lower surface of the shoe sole. An upper foot engaging portion is secured to the shoe sole for maintaining the shoe sole on a foot.

Abstract: A resistance training footwear comprises a tension bearing connector to removably couple with an elastic resistance band. The resistance training footwear may be a resistance training shoe having a tension bearing connector fixed to an outsole of the shoe, a resistance training shoe having a tension bearing connector fixed to an upper of the shoe, a resistance training sandal having a tension bearing connector fixed to an outsole of the sandal, or a resistance training sandal having a tension bearing connector fixed to straps of the sandal, for example.

Abstract: The present invention provides a footwear article with arch support and cushioning. The footwear article maybe in the form of a sandal including but not limited to a thong sandal, such as a flip flop.

Abstract: Woven textile structures constructed using dual-loom technology are provided. Filaments are woven in such a way as to create a first set of different discrete layers of the same fabric in some regions of the textile and a second set of discrete layers of the same fabric at other regions of the same textile. The different layers are used to construct various textile structures such as a woven shoe upper and strobel integrally woven from the same filaments.

Abstract: As described above, just as a person inserts his/her toes into a space under furniture and does sit-ups by using the force of the toes, a functional shoe of the present invention provides a portion into which an instep and a toe base portion are inserted on the functional shoe to use the force of the toe base portion which may exert the greatest force from among portions of a foot, thereby adding momentum. Accordingly, a wearer may further use the force of the instep and the toe base portion to support weight. That is, when a batter hits a baseball in a baseball game, an instep of the batter including a toe base portion may be inserted into a weight support unit to support the weight of the batter, thereby adding forces of the instep and the toe base portion the weight of the batter.

Abstract: A waterproof breathable boot is disclosed. The boot includes an outsole, a three-piece bootie, a toe cap, a heel cap, a center front panel, an instep panel and a rear panel.

Abstract: A waterproof vapor-permeable shoe, including an upper part that delimits a foot insertion region; a sole, made mainly of plastic material, provided with at least one region which is diffusely perforated with through holes in the direction of a walking surface; a vapor-permeable or perforated flat element, rigidly coupled to the lower part of the sole on which the tread of the sole is formed or rigidly coupled, the flat element adapted to limit the formation of hollows in the foot insertion region at the projection of the holes of the diffusely perforated region; and a waterproof vapor-permeable membrane associated with the upper part and/or with the sole; the membrane being arranged above the flat element so as to be superimposed on the diffusely perforated region.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure incorporates a support element that includes a fluid-filled chamber, a first insert, and a second insert. The chamber defines a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a sidewall extending between the first surface and the second surface. The first insert is secured to the first surface and at least partially recessed into the polymer material of the chamber, and the second insert is secured to the second surface. In addition, the chamber may be pressurized to deform the first insert or the second insert.

Abstract: A soccer shoe absorbs and stores energy from the foot at foot-strike and return some of this energy to the object being struck. The shoe may also cushion the foot, leg and body; provide foot stability and motion control; reduce fatigue; extend the float time of a runner and increase the jump height of the wearer. The shoe is intended to absorb, store and return energy to the object struck, which would otherwise be lost using the existing shoe components and inserts. The shoe has a vertical component that extends around the periphery of the front of the shoe and another component (horizontal) that extends longitudinally from the front of the shoe towards the back of the shoe, at least to about the middle of the shoe, and preferably proximate the heel of the shoe.

Abstract: A golf shoe is provided having an upper, an outsole secured to the upper, and five receptacles formed in the outsole into which spikes are inserted. Two receptacles are opposite each other under a pad area of the golfer's foot behind the metatarsals, the first adjacent to an inside of the outsole and the other adjacent to the outside of the outsole. A third receptacle is in an arch area adjacent to the outside of the outsole. And two more receptacles are diagonally opposite each other in a heel area of the outsole, one adjacent to the inside of the outsole and the other adjacent to the outside of the outsole.

Abstract: A shoe with waterproof and vapor-permeable upper and sole, including: an upper assembly including, in a stratified manner, a vapor-permeable or perforated outer upper, a vapor-permeable inner lining, and, between them, a functional element; an insole including at least one waterproof vapor permeation region; and a bottom with a breathable sole. The functional element of the upper is firmly joined to the upper which ends toward the insole with a sealing band covered by an edge associated with a perimetric rim of the insole. The insole selectively includes or is joined to at least one lower functional element including at least one band which is free from the protective element. A mutual waterproof seal is provided between the functional element of the upper, at the sealing band, and the at least one lower functional element at the band.

Abstract: An article of footwear may incorporate a chamber with an outer barrier and a tether element. The barrier may be formed from a polymer material that defines an interior cavity, and tether element may be located within the interior cavity and joined to opposite sides of the barrier. Upon pressurization of the chamber, the tether element may extend across the interior cavity and be placed in tension by the outward force of a pressurized fluid within the interior cavity. The tether element may have a variety of configurations. For example, the tether element may have a diagonal orientation, or different tether elements may have different lengths. A tether element may also have plates or tie pieces secured to opposite sides of the chamber, with one or more tethers extending between. Also, the tether element may include one of more sheets that extend across the interior cavity.

Abstract: An article of footwear may incorporate a chamber with an outer barrier and a tether element. The barrier may be formed from a polymer material that defines an interior cavity, and tether element may be located within the interior cavity and joined to opposite sides of the barrier. Upon pressurization of the chamber, the tether element may extend across the interior cavity and be placed in tension by the outward force of a pressurized fluid within the interior cavity. The tether element may have a variety of configurations. For example, the tether element may have a diagonal orientation, or different tether elements may have different lengths. A tether element may also have plates or tie pieces secured to opposite sides of the chamber, with one or more tethers extending between. Also, the tether element may include one of more sheets that extend across the interior cavity.

Abstract: An article of footwear may incorporate a chamber with an outer barrier and a tether element. The barrier may be formed from a polymer material that defines an interior cavity, and tether element may be located within the interior cavity and joined to opposite sides of the barrier. Upon pressurization of the chamber, the tether element may extend across the interior cavity and be placed in tension by the outward force of a pressurized fluid within the interior cavity. The tether element may have a variety of configurations. For example, the tether element may have a diagonal orientation, or different tether elements may have different lengths. A tether element may also have plates or tie pieces secured to opposite sides of the chamber, with one or more tethers extending between. Also, the tether element may include one of more sheets that extend across the interior cavity.

Abstract: Flat knitting allows production of textile structures (e.g., for use in footwear uppers) of a final desired shape such that textile cutting steps can be avoided. Flat knitted elements also can be formed directly in desired three dimensional shapes, which can help avoid the need to use additional support structures (e.g., in footwear construction). By selectively placing multiple different yarns and/or stitch patterns at multiple different locations in the overall structure during the knitting process, flat knitted products may have multiple different physical properties (e.g., different stretchability, different moisture management capabilities, etc.) at multiple different locations or zones within a single, unitary construction (e.g., different properties at different zones or locations within a single footwear structure). Additionally, flat knitting can be used to produce pockets, tunnels, or other layered structures in the final product.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for making a shoe outsole and to shoe outsoles made using such techniques. In one such technique, a sheet of composite material is produced by extruding a base material together with a sheet of fabric material. The sheet of composite material is then cut into an outsole component, and a shoe outsole is fabricated using the outsole component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a waterproof sole with high air and vapor permeability including an upper layer made of breathable and waterproof material, a lower layer made of breathable and waterproof material, a shaped supporting layer made of rubber-like material between the upper layer and lower layer, and an outsole layer made of rubber-like material below the lower layer. A hollow space and a plurality of through-holes are connected to the bottom surface of the upper layer. A plurality of supporting projections are provided at the bottom surface of the supporting layer. An outsole layer made of rubber-like material below the lower layer, a plurality of through-holes and the inter-connected horizontal channels are provided in the outsole layer.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to footwear and methods for making the same, more particularly to a seamless upper for footwear and methods for making a seamless upper. In one aspect of the invention, the upper is seamless and/or is of unitary construction that defines an interior void for comfortably receiving a foot.

Abstract: An article of footwear may incorporate various elements that are at least partially formed through a knitting process, such as a circular knitting process or a flat knitting process. Examples of the elements include tongue elements, collar elements, and collar-throat elements. In some configurations, the elements include compressible areas and flange areas. The compressible areas may include free yarn sections that impart compressibility, and the flange areas may be utilized to join the components to the article of footwear.

Abstract: The present invention teaches customizable articles of footwear in which various footwear components can be selected from a wide range of options, and can be easily removed and replaced, as desired. Moreover, the present invention teaches footwear uppers made of knitted textile materials including different sections having different structures and mechanical properties.

Abstract: A rubber member for laser bonding of the present invention containing a rubber ingredient and silica, wherein the silica has an average particle size of more than 50 nm and 120 nm or less, and the amount of the silica is 10 parts by mass to 50 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the rubber ingredient, the rubber member has a laser light transmittance of 30% or more, provided that the laser light transmittance is a transmittance when the rubber member has a thickness of 2 mm and is irradiated with laser light having a wavelength of 808 nm.

Abstract: An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the article of footwear are disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. The textile element may also have a first area and a second area with a unitary construction. The first area is formed of a first stitch configuration, and the second area is formed of a second stitch configuration that is different from the first stitch configuration to impart varying textures to a surface of the textile element. Various warp knitting or weft knitting processes may be utilized to form the textile element.

Abstract: A shoe comprising a sole and an upper composed substantially of Tyvek. The upper can be made of a single piece of Tyvek or of two more panels of Tyvek. The heel portion of the upper can also include a reinforcement of Tyvek. A piping of Tyvek can also be provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition comprising, or produced from, an organic acid-modified ionomer and silica filler having oil absorption greater than 100 g oil/100 g silica. Also disclosed are articles produced from the composition such as golf balls.

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: The present application discloses footwear comprising a body structure in which at least upper is made of one continuous folded composite material comprised of layered sheets of material.

Abstract: An article comprising at least one cured, liquid-impervious polymeric shell substantially free from defects, at least one liner, and a non-tacky, thermoplastic adhesive layer between the shell and the liner, wherein the adhesive layer is melted and solidified to create a non-tacky bond between the shell and the liner, which can be moisture-absorbing or cut-resistant, whereby the liner supports and limits stretch ability of the shell, thereby preventing adhesive delamination between the adhesive layer and either of the shell and/or the liner; a method for the manufacture of an article comprising a supported, polymeric shell, such as a glove, a gauntlet, an apron, or a boot, comprising providing a cured, liquid-impervious, polymeric shell, providing a knitted/woven liner, incorporating a non-tacky, thermoplastic adhesive layer between the shell and the liner, such as by hot-melt spraying, dry-powder spraying or fiber-coating, creating intimate contact between the shell, the adhesive layer, and the liner, subjec

Abstract: Disclosed are films, tapes, and melt-spun fibers prepared from a composition comprising (a) at least one polyester polymer and (b) from about 1 to 30 weight % of at least one ethylene copolymer such as ethylene/vinyl acetate dipolymers, ethylene/vinyl acetate terpolymers, ethylene/alkyl (meth)acrylate dipolymers, ethylene/alkyl (meth)acrylate terpolymers, functionalized ethylene copolymers, ethylene/acid copolymers, and salts thereof. The films, tapes and fibers exhibit improved tensile properties such as tensile strength and elongation at break compared to non-modified polyester compositions. Also disclosed are textiles and articles prepared from the fibers described.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing and article of footwear from a reclaimed bicycle tire includes the steps of providing an article of footwear having an upper attached to a sole, providing a worn bicycle tire, cutting a strip from the tire, and attaching the strip to at least a portion of a peripheral surface of the sole as foxing tape.

Abstract: A footwear piece with two or more injected colors is disclosed. The footwear is made by injecting raw materials of two or more different colors into a mold and causing the different colors to spread randomly throughout the base section of the footwear.

Abstract: Linked articles and a method for customizing the linked articles are disclosed. The linked articles comprise a first link matrix and a second link matrix comprising a first portion of the article and a second portion of the article, respectively. The first link matrix consists essentially of links of a first material and the second link matrix consists essentially of links of a second material.

Abstract: An article of footwear including an upper and a sole, which has an outsole for directly contacting a ground surface, and at least one element compression molded with the outsole. The at least one element is formed from a first material including at least 45% ethylene vinyl acetate, approximately 30% polyene elastomer, and approximately 20% synthetic rubber. A second material of the outsole is compatible for compression molding with the at least one element, and is less hard and less dense than the at least one element.

Abstract: An article of footwear including a sole having a ground engaging surface; an upper having a toe region, heel region and a vamp portion. The upper has a first layer which is water impermeable and a second layer which is vapor and air permeable. The first layer extends in an upward direction from the featherline of the sole to a height on the upper which is at least 1.5 inches above the ground engaging surface of the sole and is attached to the second layer at height. The height at which the first layer extends and is attached to the second layer can vary along the upper in a toe-to-heel direction.

Abstract: An upper made of a composite material is disclosed. The composite material comprises a layer of carbon fiber material and a flexible substrate. The composite material also includes a thin outer coating of TPU. The upper is generally flexible and lightweight.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing and article of footwear from a reclaimed bicycle tire includes the steps of providing an article of footwear having an upper attached to a sole, providing a worn bicycle tire, cutting a strip from the tire, and attaching the strip to at least a portion of a peripheral surface of the sole as foxing tape.