Abstract: The present invention provides improved pedorthic systems for patients having partial foot amputations or foot neuropathies. Custom-molded, custom-made pedorthics with leather linings and molded stiffeners are disclosed, along with methods of manufacture. Custom-molded, custom-made pedorthics and ankle-foot orthoses having solid, molded fillers to replace the volume of missing foot portions are also provided, along with methods of manufacture.

Abstract: A shoe-reinforcement material (33) having a fiber combination (1) with a first fiber component (2) and a second fiber portion (4,5) having a second fiber component (3), whereby the first fiber component (2) has a first melting point and a first softening-temperature range lying below it, and a first fiber portion (5) of the second fiber component (3) has a second melting point and a second softening-temperature range lying below it; the first melting point and the first softening-temperature range are higher than the second melting point and the second softening-temperature range, the second fiber portion (4) of the second fiber component (3) has a higher melting point and a higher softening temperature lying above it than the first fiber portion (5), and the fiber combination (1), in consequence of thermal activation of the first fiber portion (5) of the second fiber component (4), attached thermally with an adhesive-softening temperature lying in the second softening-temperature range, with water-vapor perm

Abstract: A shoe structure is composed of a vamp, an insole and an outsole. The insole and its balanced plate are made of a botanic cornstarch synthetic resin. A support plate made of a bamboo sheet in different styles is disposed between the insole and the outsole, so that the integrated shoe structure can absorb forces exerted onto a foot sole to reduce the force and achieve a shock absorption effect and an anti-shock effect by the elasticity of fibers distributed on the support plate, so as to reduce the burden of the foot sole without feeling an increased weight, and the shoe structure made of a botanic material gives the effects of using an easily available material, lowering cost, and protecting environment.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a shoe assembly having at least an outsole portion and a midsole portion, the midsole portion is removably engaged with the outsole to allow replacement of the midsole with another midsole having different structural features, and at least one projection extends from the midsole through an aperture of the outsole, the projection configured to engage with a corresponding aperture of the outsole to align and secure the midsole to the outsole.

Abstract: A mat (12) of impervious material for incorporation in an article, such as an article of footwear, for enabling airflow has a plurality of passageways (14) extending in a plane of the mat (12). At least one of the passageways of the plurality (14) is interconnected with at least one further passageway which extends substantially transversely to the plane of the mat (12). Air in passageways of the plurality can therefore flow to the further passageway(s) and air in the further passageway(s) can flow to passageways of the plurality. Air can therefor flow within the mat in two substantially transverse directions. Such a mat can be incorporated into an article to enable air flow into and out of the article.

Abstract: An article of footwear with multiple cross sectional profile shapes disposed on an outer peripheral edge of a sole is disclosed. The multiple cross sectional profile shapes on the outer peripheral edge of the sole can help increase the lateral performance and lateral stability of a wearer of the article of footwear.

Abstract: An article of footwear with an arch wrap is disclosed. The arch wrap is configured to provide support to a midfoot. The arch wrap can include a plurality of eyelets that are configured to receive a lace of a lacing system of the upper.

Abstract: A sole and footwear provided with such soles are capable of properly controlling the movement of a foot pressure center, using a simple configuration. This sole includes: a sole body (41) which forms each bottom part of the footwear; and a foot pressure protrusion portion (43) which is provided in this sole body (41), and guides a foot pressure center corresponding to the center of a pressure applied to the bottom of each foot that moves when a person walks or runs, along a predetermined foot pressure center route from the heel toward the vicinity of the root of the fourth toe.

Abstract: An article of footwear having an upper and a sole is disclosed. The sole of the article of footwear includes a midsole having a support portion and a plurality of projections extending from the support portion. The sole of the article of footwear also includes a plate contacting the support portion having a body positioned in an area between the plurality of projections. The plate further includes a plurality of openings which correspond to the plurality of projections and allow the projections to extend below the body of the plate. The plate further includes a plurality of cantilever elements extending on at least one side and on the bottom of each of the plurality of projections. The projections and the corresponding cantilever elements interact with one another to form a plurality of lugs located on the sole of the article of footwear.

Abstract: A corrective device to be worn on a human foot having a misalignment and positioned inside of footwear. The device having an inner shell having a first material composition and flexibility, and shaped to accommodate receiving therein and supportingly couple with the foot, and an outer shell having a second material composition and flexibility, the second material composition and flexibility being substantially the same as the first flexibility, the outer shell shaped to accommodate receiving therein the inner shell, supportingly couple with the inner shell and allow positioning into the footwear. At least a sufficient portion of a pressure is distributed by the outer shell and the inner shell over a desired area of the foot to provide an amount of correction to the misalignment while allowing the human to wear the inner shell inside of the outer shell inside of the footwear.

Abstract: Footwear sole structures include: (a) a chassis member including a lateral side, a rear heel portion, and a medial side, wherein the chassis member includes an opening defined between the medial side and the lateral side; (b) an impact-attenuating member engaged with the chassis member, wherein the impact-attenuating member includes a lateral side arm and a medial side arm that extend toward a forefoot portion of the sole structure, and wherein the impact-attenuating member further includes a rear heel portion joining the lateral and medial side arms; and (c) an outsole element extending beneath the impact-attenuating member, wherein the outsole element extends around the rear heel portion of the impact-attenuating member and engages the rear heel portion of the chassis member.

Abstract: An adjustable fit insole system for shoes includes an insole member formed of flexible, resilient cushioning material that is removably inserted within the foot-receiving chamber of the shoe, the insole member and the shoe having corresponding heel, arch, ball and toe portions. In order to vary the internal width and girth dimensions of the ball portion of the chamber, a width adjustment pad of a desired thickness and/or hardness is removably connected with the bottom surface of the ball portion of the insole member, thereby to permit the user to customize the fit of the shoe. The top surface of the insole member is contoured to position the foot relative to the insole, and the bottom surface of the heel portion of the insole member is provided with an anti-slip stabilizing arrangement, thereby to prevent sliding movement of the insole member relative to the shoe.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a midsole secured to the upper. A support plate assembly includes a support member extending along a portion of the upper. A plate extends inwardly from the support member, the plate being positioned between the outsole and the midsole. A groove is formed in an exterior surface of the support member, and is positioned outwardly of the plate and extends longitudinally along the exterior surface of the support member.

Abstract: A component for supporting a wearer's foot includes a central plate joined at its periphery to one or more tubular portions.

Abstract: A shoe is provided with an ankle support member to reduce the risk of ankle injury. The ankle support member is a stiff resilient piece of bendable sheet material including a base portion, and a plurality of lateral and medial strips which are inclined upwardly and rearwardly. The ankle support member is bound together with artificial spider web silk for additional strength and flexibility. The base portion has a U-shaped horizontal cross section which extends into and is bonded to the shoe sole. Some lateral strips are connected to medial strips to form inverted support loops behind the wearer's heel. Other lateral and medial strips have free upper ends which are curved toward each other in a transverse direction, and their stiffness deters lateral movement of the ankle to reduce a risk of ankle injury.

Abstract: Support elements for footwear or other products include: (a) a base member having first and second major surfaces; and (b) an extending arm having a free end for engaging a portion of a footwear structure. The extending arm may engage and further support a heel-supporting portion or other structural portion of an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device. Such foot-receiving devices may include: (a) a foot-covering member (such as a footwear upper); (b) a foot-supporting member (such as a footwear sole structure) engaged with the foot-covering member; and (c) a lateral-reinforcing member that includes an extending arm engaged with at least one of the foot-covering member or the foot-supporting member.

Abstract: This invention relates to a highly engineered shoe sole developed to fit the natural structure of the human foot and walking gait. By inventing a shoe sole with the heightened outer part of the shoe heels and lowered on the inner part of the front portion of the sole, the shoe enables the triple-time stepping by maintaining his/her feet and the ankle aligned with the shoes when standing or walking. Also, by naturally shifting the center of the body inwards from the outer part of the shoes, thus distributing the body weight evenly to the entire area of the shoe soles, the shoes reduce fatigue on the foot by absorbing and mitigating the impact on the foot that supports the body weight, which prevents and corrects deformed walking habits such as out-toed gaits and also prevents slipping while walking.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe chassis. In one embodiment the present invention is a shoe chassis including a board with a first end and a second end, the board having a portion defining a first hole at the second end. The shoe chassis also includes a stabilizing unit beneath the board and a pod beneath the stabilizing unit. A flexible membrane is positioned within the first hole to allow the heel to flex past or through the first hole and compress a cushioning material located within the pod and positioned under the flexible membrane.

Abstract: A shoe construction including a shoe upper, an intermediate composite structure and an outsole. The composite structure underlies at least a portion of the upper and overlies at least a portion of the outsole. The composite structure includes cushion members with one cushion member being positioned to underlie a heel of a wearer and another cushion member being positioned to underlie the ball of the foot. The cushion member underlying the ball may be perforated. The composite structure can also include a relatively rigid lower member which can be perforated in the area of the ball of the foot underlying the cushion member for the ball of the foot. The composite structure can provide a flexure discontinuity in the shoe forward of the midfoot zone of the shoe.

Abstract: The specification and drawing figures disclose, describe and claim a rigid orthotic plate with a resilient member, the combination positionable into footwear. In at least one aspect, a resilient member is fixedly mounted on the rigid orthotic. In another aspect, the resilient member is removably mountable on the rigid orthotic plate. In yet another aspect, a plurality of resilient members is provided.

Abstract: A water-vapor permeable shoe-sole combination (15) with an upper side (5) having at least on through hole (31) extending through the thickness of the shoe-sole combination, a barrier unit (35) with an upper side forming at least part of the upper side (50) of the shoe-sole combination, made of a water-vapor permeable barrier material (33) that forms a barrier against penetration of foreign bodies, by means of which the at least one through hole (31) is closed in a water-vapor permeable manner, a reinforcement device (25) formed for mechanical reinforcement of the shoe-sole combination (105), constructed with at least one reinforcement web (37) arranged on at least one surface of the barrier material (33) and at least partially crossing the at least one through hole (31), and at least one walking-sole part (117) arranged beneath the barrier unit (35).

Abstract: There are provided in accordance with the present invention adjustable orthopedic insoles including a foothold having a base frame, a medial arc support and a tarsal support, so that a camber located beneath the medial arc support provides a clearance located between the foothold, and at least one arcuate abutment mountable in the aforementioned camber. Conjointly, a methods of adjusting orthopedic insoles to a user employing a set of adjustable orthopedic insoles including selecting the most comfortable combination of the footholds and arcuate abutments and of adjusting metatarsal support of the orthopedic insoles of by selecting the most comfortable metatarsal insert are further disclosed.

Abstract: An article of footwear is provided in which the footbed is formed from a shoe last which is considerably thicker at the metatarsal region than conventional footwear permitting a much thicker insole to be received within the footbed. The thicker insole of a ?? or greater throughout permits a range of different durometers of material to be used to ensure that maximum compression of the material is not reached through a stepping motion of a user of the footwear. A metatarsal insert and a combined heel and arch insert are received within respective cavities in a body of the insole so that durometers of the heel, arch and metatarsal region of the insole can be customized to a particular user's needs. The combined effect of the resulting thicker insole and varying durometers of the inserts therein results in a users applied weight being substantially evenly distributed across an entire footprint of the footwear during a stepping motion.

Abstract: An improved sole construction for use in shoes. The sole construction consists of a hammock-like lattice formed of medium to high modulus polymers, or a lightweight metal alloy. The lattice substantially conforms in topography to the foot, or a weight-bearing portion thereof (such as the heel or forefoot). The lattice may be disposed on, and supported by, a resilient frame, or secured directly to the shoe upper. The lattice supports the foot while suspending it slightly, even during gait, above the interior base of the shoe. The suspended portions of the foot are thusly protected from the shock of striking a surface (such as the ground, during gait), and are gently supported while bearing a load.

Abstract: A cushioning member for an article of footwear. The cushioning member is a flexible bladder having a fluidly interconnected heel chamber and forefoot chamber. The bladder is disposed above the sole and beneath the wearer's foot to provided added cushioning to the wearer. The bladder contains air at slightly above ambient pressure and can be formed by thermoforming or by welding two sheets of resilient, flexible material together. A connecting passage fluidly connects the heel chamber and the forefoot chamber. The connecting passage is narrow to control the flow of air between the two chambers.

Abstract: A shoe vamp has a front end, a rear end, a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis and an opening. The longitudinal axis extends longitudinally from the rear end to the front end. The transverse axis is perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. The opening is defined through the shoe vamp and has an inclined front edge inclined to the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis and has an inside end and an outside end being closer to the front end of the shoe vamp when compared to the inside end. The shoe vamp with the inclined front edge of the opening corresponds entirely to the shape of the instep of a foot to prevent the foot from rotating or moving on the shoe. Therefore, the shoe vamp effectively prevents varus or talipes valgus.

Abstract: A ballet pointe shoe for supporting a dancer. The shoe has a shank with fibers of various orientation to provide a stiffness characteristics desired by the dancer. The stiffness of the shank is varied to meet the performance needs of the dancer. In one embodiment the stiffness of the shoe at the arch is greater than the stiffness of the shoe at the ball of the foot.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper that is at least partially formed from a base layer and thread sections that lie adjacent a surface of the base layer. The thread sections are positioned to provide structural elements that, for example, restrain stretch in directions corresponding with longitudinal axes of the thread sections. In some configurations of the footwear, a first portion of the thread sections may extend between forefoot and heel regions of the footwear, and a second portion of the thread sections may extend vertically. An embroidering process may be utilized to position the thread sections on the base layer.

Abstract: Support elements for footwear or other products include: (a) a base member having first and second major surfaces; and (b) an extending arm having a free end for engaging a portion of a footwear structure. The extending arm may engage and further support a heel-supporting portion or other structural portion of an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device. Such foot-receiving devices may include: (a) a foot-covering member (such as a footwear upper); (b) a foot-supporting member (such as a footwear sole structure) engaged with the foot-covering member; and (c) a lateral-reinforcing member that includes an extending arm engaged with at least one of the foot-covering member or the foot-supporting member.

Abstract: An athletic shoe support structure may include a midsole constructed to resiliently support a foot and a cradle positioned underneath the midsole. The cradle has a bottom and a sidewall upwardly extending from the bottom, where the cradle is arranged to receive the midsole in nesting relation. The cradle sidewall has at least one aperture and the midsole has at least one protrusion, where the protrusion is sized and shaped to engage the at least one aperture in the sidewall. The cradle and/or the midsole may be made of a foamed material.

Abstract: A device is disclosed comprising a contour configured to engage a foot and supported by a response assembly, the response assembly configured to mechanically respond to pressure applied to the contour. The contour may comprise at least one stimulating mound configured to engage at least one non-medial arch of the foot and/or a heel ridge for dividing the heel from the rest of the foot. A control circuit is disclosed that may communicate with an orthopedic device to create a pressure reading used to control a point of response and/or a stimulating mound. The device may include a second contour configured to engage a second foot supported by a second response assembly. Methods of using the device are disclosed. The device may be an orthopedic device and/or a sports training device. A shoe insert and shoe are disclosed, each comprising a contour including at least one stimulating mound.

Abstract: A sandal including a molded rubber outsole configured to support a lower surface of a foot including a heel, midfoot, and a forefoot; a toe cap extending from the outsole and configured to cover a top of at least a portion of the forefoot, the toe cap molded integrally with the outsole; and a plurality of sandal straps fixed to the outsole to retain the sandal on the foot, at least one of the sandal straps fixed to the toe.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper, an outsole, and a midsole. The upper is configured to receive a foot, and the outsole is secured to the upper. The outsole defines a plurality of apertures extending entirely through the outsole. In addition, the outsole has a ground-engaging surface positioned at a first elevation. The midsole is positionable such that a lower surface of the midsole extends into the apertures of the outsole and is exposed by the apertures.

Abstract: A shoe sole includes a mid sole, and a reinforcing member reinforcing a portion of the mid sole, wherein the member 2 extends over an area from a mid foot part 12 to a rear foot part 13, the member 2 including: a rod-shaped or strip-shaped main bar 21 provided along a line that is at the center of the foot; mid foot medial blades 22 and 23 and mid foot lateral blades 24 and 25 extending from the bar 21 in the part 12; a plurality of rear foot blades 26a and 26b extending from the bar 21 in the part 13, wherein the blades 22 to 26b are integral with the bar 21, the blades 22 to 25 are attached to a lower surface of the mid sole, and at least a portion of each of the blades 26a and 26b is buried in the part 13.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to therapeutic footwear such as sandals, conventional shoes, and corrective inserts that may be inserted into conventional shoes. Specifically, the therapeutic footwear may be used for maintaining, correcting, or repositioning the great toe to decrease pressure on the first metatarsal-phalangeal joint or bunion. Additional therapeutic features may include spreading of the wearer's toes, supporting the wearer's arch to control excessive pronation, and providing sustained heel cord stretch at rest, during ambulation, pedicure, and before, during, or after medical treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lightweight and cushioned shoe's outsole having a pneumatic air tube swirled inside the outsole. Shoe's outsole of present invention becomes extremely lightweight and cushioning when the pneumatic air tube inside the outsole is inflated. The present invention provides an air mattress type inflatable bladder of shoe's insole having honeycomb-like construction by using tuft inside the insole. Shoe's insole of present invention becomes extremely bouncing and cushioning when the bladder of the insole is inflated. The present invention provides an air pressure alert system having an air compressive and expandable device and a liquid capillary. The air pressure of the shoe's outsole and shoe's insole of present invention is able to track through the functions of air pressure alert system of present invention.

Abstract: A stability device that increases foot security on the footbed of a shoe, provides lateral or medial stability, shock dampening, and optimizes flexibility. The stability device includes a resilient bladder insert having a horizontal sole portion underneath a wearer's foot, and a foot portion positioned along a lateral or medial side edge of a wearer's foot. The sole portion and the foot portion are in fluid communication. The stability device can be generally L-shaped to cradle a portion of the foot. The stability device can also include a plurality of finger-shaped elements that encircle the top of the foot and expand down onto the foot due to an increase in fluid pressure therein.

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: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly includes a mat formed of at least one randomly dispersed extruded tubular member, each tubular member being hollow in an in-use condition in which the mat provides support for a user's foot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a functional footwear which comprises an sole having a toe-seating portion, whose height is higher than that of the remaining portion thereof other than the toe-seating portion, for allowing a user's toe to be seated thereon. The toe-seating portion of the sole of the functional footwear is formed higher than the remaining portion of the sole other than the toe-seating portion, so that toes of a walker are placed higher than the other portions of the sole of the feet of the walker, thereby obtaining an effect of the backward walking even when the walker walks forwardly.

Abstract: An article of footwear which includes a midsole and foot stabilizer. The foot stabilizer includes a longitudinally extending spine portion and a plurality of ribs extending laterally therefrom from opposing lateral and medial sides. The plurality of ribs being positioned to at least partially underlie a foot of a user. The spine portion is disposed above and affixed to the midsole and the ribs are contoured to partially enclose the foot of the user.

Abstract: An article of footwear including a sole and an upper with an exterior and interior surface, and one or more bladders which comprises at least one of the exterior or interior surfaces of the upper. The article of footwear also includes a inflation mechanism located under the foot of the wearer to be activated by the normal action of the wearer to inflate the one or more bladders. The inflation mechanism may be monolithic with the bladder or may be a satellite inflation mechanism coupled to the bladder. The article of footwear may also include a deflation mechanism. The deflation mechanism may include a release valve capable of remaining in a open position and/or an adjustable check valve. The deflation mechanism may also be a combination check valve and release valve accessing a single opening in the bladder.

Abstract: An article of footwear for water sports disclosed. The article may be worn by a helmsman on a sailboat. The article may include provisions to facilitate increased traction and support for a foot of the helmsman.

Abstract: An article of footwear for water sports disclosed. The article includes straps that fasten an upper into place. The straps are configured to maintain a fastened position when water is splashed from below the article. The article further includes padded members to protect the instep and the front ankle of the foot.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe having an outsole, an upper having a notch, a brace having at least one localized area placed in the notch, and the brace being in contact with and secured to both the upper and the outsole. The invention also relates to a method for providing the shoe.

Abstract: A removable spat may be used with a shoe having a sole and an upper. The spat includes a boot portion having a back opening and a front end, and a sleeve connected to the boot portion. The back opening of the boot portion is adapted to receive the shoe therein. The sleeve has a fixed end connected to the front end of the boot portion and a free end opposite the fixed end. The sleeve extends freely from the front end to define a first sleeve position, and the sleeve is foldable over the boot portion to define a second sleeve position.

Abstract: The stability and balance offered by an article of footwear is improved by including a rigid layer in an outsole assembly of the article of footwear. The rigid layer may include a material of at least a predefined rigidity. For example, an outsole may be fitted with a carbon fiber plate that maintains the shape and a flatness of the outsole assembly. The rigid layer may be attached to one or more other layers that may be configured for impact force attenuation and comfort. In one or more arrangements, the rigid layer may be sandwiched between two other layers. Alternatively, the rigid layer may be insertable into a layer of the outsole. A channel may cut into a layer of the outsole to distribute weight to an outside portion of the outsole. This distribution of weight to the outside portion of the outsole may improve stability and balance.

Abstract: Disclosed therein is a high-functional shoe having functions for a pain alleviation and prevention of degenerative gonarthritis, which can alleviate a pain in the knee joint of a person, who suffers from degenerative gonarthritis or is injured in the knee joint by an abnormal lower limb joint movement, and prevent degenerative gonarthritis by uniformly dispersing a load biasedly applied to the knee joint. The high-functional shoe includes a shoe sole having a longitudinally sectional structure of a parallelogrammic form, and is applicable to persons, who have symptoms of degenerative gonarthritis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a midsole (22) for a healthy shoe, which is easily and simply manufactured and comprises a tunnel portion (28) or an airbag (128) formed therein so that impact caused by the landing of a heel of the healthy shoe on the ground in a landing step and a gravity center-transferring step is uniformly applied to the heel of the shoe due to the rolling of the heel on the ground and discontinuous impact is not transferred to various parts of the body of a user, such as an ankle joint and a leg, and a method for manufacturing the same, thereby allowing the user to smoothly land on the ground and walk stably.

Abstract: A sole adapted to provide improved leverage during the toe-off stage of gait comprises elongate elements (2a-e) along the horizontal surface of the sole. The elongate elements (2a-e) are adapted to tauten in response to longitudinal forces on the sole, increasing the rigidity of the midsection of the sole and providing effective propulsive assistance to the athlete.