Abstract: A footwear article includes an upper assembly attached to a sole. The upper assembly includes an enclosure defining a foot receiving void and a flex feature disposed on a medial portion of the upper assembly. The flex feature connects a medial forefoot portion of the enclosure to a medial heel portion of the enclosure, thus allowing the medial forefoot and medial heel portions of the enclosure to move relative to each other. The sole assembly includes a midsole disposed on an outsole. The midsole defines voids of different depths. The voids are arranged to provide relatively greater cushioning and bendability within at least one of a metatarsus portion and a calcaneus portion of the midsole.

Abstract: An article of footwear that includes a sole defining a bending feature (e.g., a groove) between a phalanges portion and a metatarsus portion of the sole. The bending feature allows the phalanges sole portion to articulate upward with respect to the metatarsus sole portion. An upper is attached to the sole and defines a foot void for receiving a human foot. The upper has a phalanges portion that defines at least one toe receiver volume. The at least one toe receiver volume defines a raised shape with respect to an adjacent metatarsus portion of the upper. Articulation of the phalanges sole portion and substantially unrestricted toe lift movement into the at least one toe receiver volume allows substantially unrestricted upward toe flexion of a received foot in the foot void.

Abstract: A sole assembly for an article of footwear including an outsole and a midsole disposed on the outsole. The midsole has forward and rearward portions, where the rearward midsole portion has a softer durometer than the forward midsole portion. The midsole also has a foot receiving surface. In an unloaded state, the foot receiving surface in a heel portion of the sole assembly is at least level with or elevated above the foot receiving surface in a forefoot portion of the sole assembly with respect to level ground. The foot receiving surface in the heel portion of the sole assembly drops below the foot receiving surface in the forefoot portion of the sole assembly while in a loaded state on level ground.

Abstract: An athletic shoe sole construction having a grid system forming a lattice pattern designed to resiliently support a foot and deflect downwardly upon foot imposed forces is provided. The grid system may be located in the heel portion of the shoe. According to some aspects of the invention, the grid system is constructed from a compressible material. In one embodiment, portions of the grid system may be constructed from a foamed material. The athletic shoe includes a midsole arrayed about the periphery of the grid system and extending downwardly therefrom, such that the grid system can deflect and compress into an opening formed by the midsole. A base structure may be provided below the grid system to limit deflection of the grid system into the opening.

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 breathable and moisture permeable bra that is stylish, provides adequate support and is comfortable to wear is provided. Materials, such as wicking materials, for use in the bra, as well as other active wear, are also provided. The brassiere may include breast-supporting pads having a pad component including a perforated, molded foam cup encased by an inner and a first outer cloth layers and a second outer cloth attached to the outside of the pad component. The cloths may include materials that are breathable and may have wicking properties. In addition to the pad, the brassiere may include a wicking layer adapted to lie adjacent a wearer's skin to pull moisture away from the skin. The brassiere may also include an outer layer adapted to lie most distal the user's skin, that may provide an aesthetically pleasing exterior of the brassiere.

Abstract: An athletic shoe sole construction having a suspension system designed to resiliently support a foot and deflect downwardly upon foot imposed forces is provided. The athletic shoe includes a plurality of independent supports arrayed about the periphery of the suspension system. The supports, or pillars, may include a ground engaging section and a resilient section intermediate the ground engaging section and the suspension system. The suspension system may include a deflectable grid system, or it may include other resilient deflectable materials. The pillars may be constructed and arranged to deflect independently of an adjacent pillar.

Abstract: A midsole insert for use with a shoe is provided. The midsole insert includes a heel portion, a midfoot portion, and a forefoot portion, and a plurality of grid systems located on the midsole insert, where each grid system includes a plurality of openings cut into the midsole insert forming a lattice pattern. The plurality of grids may be located on at least one of the heel portion, the midfoot portion, and the forefoot portion, constructed to provide energy return features. The midsole may further be constructed and arranged to attach directly to an upper during a manufacturing step, to secure the shape of the upper on a last. By attaching directly to the upper, the midsole insert eliminates the need for a stroble board, which is typically used to secure the upper to the last. By eliminating the stroble board, the present invention places the midsole insert and the energy return grid system closer to the foot, which maximizes reaction time and performance.

Abstract: An athletic shoe sole construction having a grid system forming a lattice pattern designed to resiliently support a foot and deflect downwardly upon foot imposed forces is provided. The grid system may be located in the heel portion of the shoe. According to some aspects of the invention, the grid system is constructed from a compressible material. In one embodiment, portions of the grid system may be constructed from a foamed material. The athletic shoe includes a midsole arrayed about the periphery of the grid system and extending downwardly therefrom, such that the grid system can deflect and compress into an opening formed by the midsole. A base structure may be provided below the grid system to limit deflection of the grid system into the opening.

Abstract: An athletic shoe sole construction having a suspension system designed to resiliently support a foot and deflect downwardly upon foot imposed forces is provided. The athletic shoe includes a plurality of independent supports arrayed about the periphery of the suspension system. The supports, or pillars, may include a ground engaging section and a resilient section intermediate the ground engaging section and the suspension system. The suspension system may include a deflectable grid system, or it may include other resilient deflectable materials. The pillars may be constructed and arranged to deflect independently of an adjacent pillar.