Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, having a flexible upper surrounding a foot, a closure panel arranged on an instep area of the flexible upper, and a tightening element arranged at the heel of the shoe. The tightening element is connected to the closure panel such that the closure panel, through the use of the tightening element, can be tightened against the instep area of the flexible upper to retain the shoe on the foot.

Abstract: The invention is directed to intelligent systems for articles of footwear that adjust automatically in response to a measured performance characteristic. The intelligent systems include one or more adjustable elements coupled to a mechanism that actuates the adjustable elements in response to a signal from a sensor to modify the performance characteristic of the article of footwear. The intelligent system adjusts the performance characteristics of the article of footwear without human intervention.

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: A sports electronic training system, 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. Feedback provided to a user typically includes, for example, training information such as whether the user is satisfying specific workout and/or training criteria. In an embodiment, the functionality of the sports electronic training system is enhanced by enabling the portable electronic processing device to interact with other devices and applications, for example, using the Internet.

Abstract: A sports electronic training system with sport ball, and applications thereof, are disclosed. In an embodiment, the system comprises at least one monitor and an 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, a sport ball that includes a motion monitor for monitoring motion of the sport ball stores an identification value received when a shoe that includes a motion monitor contacts the sport ball. The stored identification value serves as a record of the contact.

Abstract: Disclosed are articles of footwear and soles therefor, in particular sports shoe soles that include openings for ventilation and vapor exchange. The soles include an insole layer with a plurality of first openings, a support layer with a plurality of second openings that partially overlap the plurality of first openings, and an outsole layer with at least one third opening that at least partially overlaps the plurality of second openings to provide fluidic communications through the sole from an interior of the shoe to an exterior of the shoe. A substantial portion of the plurality of first openings in the insole are interconnected to provide a path for diffusion. The shoes and soles can include a cushioning layer, a tread layer, a breathable membrane, and additional support elements. In addition, the shoes can be used with climate control socks to further enhance the climate control properties of the shoes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a releasable stud for a shoe sole. The releasable stud includes a stud body and a first fastening mechanism coupled to the stud body. The first fastening mechanism is magnetically operable and interacts with a second fastening mechanism of the shoe sole. In another aspect, the invention relates to a shoe sole for an article of footwear, in particular a sole for a soccer shoe. The shoe sole includes at least one such stud and at least one receptacle, which itself includes the second fastening mechanism, for the stud. At least one of the first fastening mechanism and the second fastening mechanism is magnetically operable to releasably fasten the stud to the receptacle.

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: The invention relates to sole elements and methods for manufacturing sole elements for shoes, in particular for sport shoes, with a specific density distribution in a transverse and/or longitudinal direction. The methods include the steps of manufacturing a sole element preform from a polymer material with a thickness varying in the transverse and/or longitudinal direction depending on the desired density distribution and the press-forming of the sole element preform in a forming tool to form the finished sole element from the sole element preform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe sole including a cushioning element. The shoe sole can include a heel cup or heel rim having a shape that substantially corresponds to the shape of heel of a foot. Further, the heel part can include a plurality of side walls arranged below the heel cup or rim and at least one tension element that interconnects at least one side wall to another side wall or to the heel cup or rim. The heel cup or rim, the plurality of side walls, and the at least one tension element can be integrally formed as a single piece.

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: Disclosed is a shoe including an upper for receiving a foot and a sole unit with a heel region and forefoot region, wherein an additional weight is arranged in at least one of the forefoot region and the heel region of the sole unit to stabilize the foot against at least one torque acting on a wearer's foot.

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 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: The present invention relates to a shoe sole including a cushioning element. The shoe sole can include a heel cup or heel rim having a shape that substantially corresponds to the shape of heel of a foot. Further, the heel part can include a plurality of side walls arranged below the heel cup or rim and at least one tension element that interconnects at least one side wall to another side wall or to the heel cup or rim. The heel cup or rim, the plurality of side walls, and the at least one tension element can be integrally formed as a single piece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe, in particular a sprint shoe, including a plate arranged in a sole area of the shoe. The plate extends essentially over the complete length of the sole area and is substantially planar in a forefoot part and is constructed of a material and configured to allow for elastic bending of the plate in the longitudinal direction, and is configured to three-dimensionally encompasses a rearfoot part of the foot. Optionally, the plate includes a heel cup in the rearfoot part to cradle the foot. Further, a wedge- or rib-like raised part may be arranged below the heel cup.

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 present invention relates to a shoe sole including a cushioning element. The shoe sole can include a heel cup or heel rim having a shape that substantially corresponds to the shape of heel of a foot. Further, the heel part can include a plurality of side walls arranged below the heel cup or rim and at least one tension element that interconnects at least one side wall to another side wall or to the heel cup or rim. The heel cup or rim, the plurality of side walls, and the at least one tension element can be integrally formed as a single piece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, with a cushioning system comprising a lower sole element and an upper sole element. The cushioning system further comprises at least one lever having at least two arms where an angle ? between the arms lies within the range 0°<?<180°. The first arm is connected to a deformation element and the second arm is connected to one of the two sole elements, wherein the lever is pivotably arranged at the other sole element.