Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe with a sole unit, where the sole unit includes a recess for removably receiving a housing of an electronic assembly, for example, an electronic pedometer, an accelerometer, or a speed sensor. Further, the invention relates to a housing for receiving an electronic assembly, for example, a pedometer, an accelerometer, or a speed sensor, where the housing has an outer shape corresponding to the shape of a recess formed in a shoe sole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe having a sole element. The sole element includes a sole area extending below a wearer's foot and a heel cup three-dimensionally encompassing a heel of the wearer's foot. The heel cup alone forms at least a portion of a sidewall of the shoe.

Abstract: A sports electronic training system with electronic gaming features, and applications thereof, are disclosed. In an embodiment, the system comprises at least one monitor and a portable electronic processing device for receiving data from the at least one monitor and providing feedback to an individual based on the received data. The monitor can be a motion monitor that measures an individual's performance such as, for example, speed, pace and distance for a runner. Other monitors might include a heart rate monitor, a temperature monitor, an altimeter, et cetera. In an embodiment, an input is provided to an electronic game based on data obtained from the at least one monitor that effects, for example, an avatar, a digitally created character, an action within the game, or a game score of the electronic game.

Abstract: Support devices for joints of the human body are disclosed. A support device for an ankle includes a main body having a medial portion and a lateral portion disposed about the ankle, and an interior surface; at least one of a medial support member disposed in a cavity in the medial portion of said main body and a lateral support member disposed in a cavity in the lateral portion of said main body; a strap disposed on a proximal portion of said main body, said strap having fastening means adapted to create a first level of pressure in the front of the lower leg immediately proximal to the ankle and a second level of pressure in the rear of the lower leg immediately proximal to the ankle; and one or more proprioceptive members disposed on the interior surface of said main body.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multi-layer outer panel for a game ball includes three-dimensionally forming a top layer of an outer panel, as well as one or more backing materials disposed underneath the top layer, into a shape substantially corresponding to the surface of the ball. Multi-layer outer panels are then attached to or interconnected to surround an inflatable bladder, thereby producing a game ball while minimizing overstretching of the outer material or the backing material and improving resistance of the outer panels to delamination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sole made from a first material, at least one receptacle made from a second material, and at least one stud, which can be releasably mounted within the receptacle by inserting a fastening projection of the stud into the receptacle. The fastening projection includes a first locking member, and the receptacle includes a flexible wall having a second locking member. The flexible wall is deflected when the fastening projection is inserted into the receptacle until the first and the second locking members engage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bladder for an inflatable ball including structure for receiving an electronic device therein. The structure facilitates at least one of cushioning, positioning, locating, and supporting the electronic device. The structure cushions reaction forces arising from a foot strike to the bladder and/or provides a restoring force to the electronic device subsequent to a foot strike to maintain the device in its predetermined position.

Abstract: A garment which minimizes chafing includes a three-dimensional heat molded area and a seam connecting a front area of the garment with a back area of the garment. The seam may be curved and shaped to create a three-dimensionally shaped area.

Abstract: The ball for a ball game of the invention includes a fabric layer 1 having a spherical 12-hedron where twelve right pentagonal fabric pieces 2 are sewn together. The marginal edges of the fabric piece being folded by 90 degrees, and the marginal edges are sewn together with a sewing machine. The fabric layer is then reversed through cross-like slits 5a, 5b formed in the fabric layer in a location opposite to a valve opening 5 (also formed in the fabric layer) in such a manner that the marginal edges are located on an inner side of the fabric layer. After the bladder is accommodated within the fabric layer through the closure hole 5, the hole 5 is closed by a patch. Onto a surface of the fabric layer, there is adhered the panels. Thereby, the ball for a ball game having no unevenness and soft feeling is attained.

Abstract: A sole for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, includes a unidirectional bending element. The unidirectional bending element enables a dorsal bending of the sole (bending of the sole in the direction upward and away from the ground) and blocks a plantar bending of the sole (bending of the sole in the direction downward and towards the ground). The unidirectional bending element may be arranged at a first layer of the sole and may vertically project from the first layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bladder for an inflatable ball including structure for receiving an electronic device therein. The structure facilitates at least one of cushioning, positioning, locating, and supporting the electronic device. The structure cushions reaction forces arising from a foot strike to the bladder and/or provides a restoring force to the electronic device subsequent to a foot strike to maintain the device in its predetermined position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sliding element for a shoe sole. The sliding element includes an upper sliding surface and a lower sliding surface, wherein the lower sliding surface is arranged below the upper sliding surface so as to be slideable in at least two directions. The upper sliding surface can form a lower side of an upper heel cup and the lower sliding surface can form an upper side of a lower heel cup, wherein the upper heel cup and the lower heel cup have corresponding substantially spherical shapes. Complex multi-dimensional sliding and cushioning movements between the upper sliding surface and the lower sliding surface are made possible by the corresponding three-dimensional shapes of the two substantially spherical surfaces.

Abstract: A modular shoe includes an upper with an upper side and a lower side, a chassis releasably arranged in an interior of the upper, and a plurality of studs. Each stud is releasably attached to the chassis through the lower side of the upper. The lower side of the upper is clamped between the chassis and at least one of the attached studs. The invention also relates to the various components used in a modular shoe in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: A bladder for an inflatable ball, in particular a soccer ball, has electrical wiring wherein the wiring is at least partially arranged along a bladder wall to interconnect two electrical or electronic devices.

Abstract: A valve for a ball includes a casing and a core. The core is arranged at least partially inside the casing. The core comprises a first sealing area with a plurality of sections which have alternating concave and convex curvatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates a protective element for an athlete. The protective element can include a first flexible support layer, wherein a plurality of substantially hard projections is arranged on the first support layer, and a second flexible support layer, wherein a plurality of substantially hard receiving elements is arranged on the second support layer. The receiving elements and the projections are configured to provide flexible protection to various areas of a user's body.