Abstract: The present invention provides a composite outsole consisting of carbon fiber and titanium. In particular, the outsole comprises a carbon fiber portion and a titanium portion. The titanium portion is molded to the carbon fiber portion using adhesives and the like. The titanium portion provides increased strength and ductility to allow for additional features in the outsole, such as, for example, air flow vents that increase air circulation for breathability and moisture management as well as reduce drag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe having a canopy and laterally mounted tightening apparatus. The canopy has a fixed end attached to the shoe and a free end not attached to the shoe. The free end of the canopy has lobes (or the canopy is a plurality of straps) that are moveable relatively independently of each other such that a lace attached to a tightening apparatus and the free end of the canopy tightens the shoe allowing the free ends of the canopy to facilitate the canopy molding the foot of the user.

Abstract: A pair of stretchable athletic pants comprising one or more panels attached together by one or more seams to form the pants in which at least one of the seams comprises an overlapping bonded seam is disclosed. The stretchable athletic pants, for example, may comprise one or more overlapping bonded seams and one or more other type of seam, such as a stitched seam. In one embodiment, for example, a plurality of overlapping seams are formed around the perimeter of the pants until only one seam remains to form the pants. In this embodiment, the final seam may be stitched or otherwise connected to complete the manufacture of the pants.

Abstract: A chamois for use within the seat area of a cycling garment includes a non-woven polyester interfacing or batting layer with a bottom surface that engages the cycling garment. The polyester layer provides a pad area for association with the buttocks of a cycling individual, two side pad areas for association with the upper inside thighs of the individual, and a pad area for association with the lower abdominal area of the individual. A thin and low hardness synthetic foam layer has a shape that complements the polyester layer, and a bottom surface thereof engages a top surface of the polyester layer. A thick, high hardness, synthetic foam layer is associated with the thin foam layer and occupies the pad area association with the buttocks. A synthetic leather layer has a shape that complements the shape of the polyester layer and a bottom surface thereof engages the top surface of the thin foam layer and the top surface of the thick foam layer.

Abstract: Athletic gloves used by a person when operating a bicycle include a plurality of three-layer palm pads that are glued to a plurality of spaced positions on the palm of each glove without the use of stitching and the like. Each of the palm pads is formed of a three-layer assembly, i.e. a relatively thin heat-activated adhesive layer, a relatively thick and intermediate synthetic foam layer, and a relatively thin synthetic leather layer. Prior to assembly of a three-layer palm pad onto the palm of a glove, each of the three layers of the palm pad assembly is of a uniform thickness. A heat press having a pattern of downward-extending metal line areas, including one metal line area that matches and completely encircles the circumferential edge of each palm pad, operates to press each palm pad down onto the palm of the glove.

Abstract: A chamois for use within the seat area of a cycling garment includes a non-woven polyester interfacing or batting layer with a bottom surface that engages the cycling garment. The polyester layer provides a pad area for association with the buttocks of a cycling individual, two side pad areas for association with the upper inside thighs of the individual, and a pad area for association with the lower abdominal area of the individual. A thin and low hardness synthetic foam layer has a shape that complements the polyester layer, and a bottom surface thereof engages a top surface of the polyester layer. A thick, high hardness, synthetic foam layer is associated with the thin foam layer and occupies the pad area association with the buttocks. A synthetic leather layer has a shape that complements the shape of the polyester layer and a bottom surface thereof engages the top surface of the thin foam layer and the top surface of the thick foam layer.