Abstract: A sole construction having a heel carrier and an upwardly-arched heel pad. The heel pad is fitted into and supported by the heel carrier so that the heel pad provides a spring-like bending reaction to a load. The sole construction may further include a support element disposed above the heel pad and fitted into heel carrier. The support element may be upwardly-arching so that, like the heel pad, it provides spring-like bending reaction in response to a load. The support element and heel pad may be integrally formed, for example, by molding the heel pad directly onto the support element. The heel pad and/or support element may be fitted into slots in the lateral and medial sidewalls of the heel carrier to interconnect the heel pad, support element and heel carrier. The support element may have a forward extension to function as a shank.

Abstract: A footwear construction including a sole component and shock pods that absorb impact forces caused by activity. The sole component can be a midsole defining at least one shock pod hole that reduces in dimension from a midsole lower surface toward a midsole upper surface. A shock pod can be joined with the midsole, and extend from the lower surface toward the upper surface. The midsole can be constructed from a harder material than the material from which the shock pod is constructed. A outsole can be joined with the midsole so that a lower portion of the shock pod, for example a traction lug, extends through the outsole to form a ground contacting surface. The shock pod and the shock pod hole can be of corresponding frustoconical shapes. A method is provided including joining a shock pod with a midsole, and joining an outsole with the midsole.

Abstract: A sole construction includes a cushion insert that is installable in the sole at different orientations to vary the support/cushioning characteristics of the sole. The sole construction may include a midsole defining a receptacle configured to receive the cushion insert in different orientations. The sole may be inserted into low-profile footwear having an outsole with a receptacle for retaining a corresponding differentiated heel portion of the sole. The sole may be included in a shoe construction having an outsole portion capable of bending or pivoting to provide access to the cushion insert for adjustment thereof. The sole may be included in a shoe construction having an outsole that defines an opening, through which the cushion insert may be accessed and manipulated. The cushion insert may include at least one channel that varies in depth about the insert so that different regions of the insert provide different support/cushioning characteristics.

Abstract: A sole construction having a cushion insert that is installable in the sole at different orientations to vary the support/cushioning characteristics of the sole. The sole construction may include a midsole defining a receptacle configured to receive the cushion insert in a plurality of different orientations. The cushion insert and the receptacle may include a plurality of lobes that are interfitted when the cushion insert is installed in the receptacle. The size, shape and configuration of the lobes may be varied between different regions of the cushion insert so that different regions of the cushion insert provide different support/cushioning characteristics. The cushion insert and the receptacle may be generally disc-shaped so that the sole is adjusted simply by rotating the cushion insert with respect to the receptacle. The lobes may be configured so that rotation of the cushion insert adjusts the sole between supination, pronation, soft and firm settings.

Abstract: A convertible garment that is reconfigurable from a garment to a neck pillow. The neck pillow may be generally U-shaped to fit about the neck of a wearer. The garment may include a pocket generally corresponding in shape to desired shape of the neck pillow. The pocket is of sufficient size to receive the remainder of the garment so that the remainder of the garment can be inserted into the pocket. The pocket may be sized so that the remainder of the garment substantially fills the pocket, thereby providing a relatively firm neck pillow capable of providing the desired level of neck support. The pocket may have a closure, such as a zipper, to retain the remainder of the garment in the pocket. The garment may be a jacket with the pocket located in the lower back that opens to the inside of the garment. The pocket may be manufactured from or lined with a soft material, such as a brushed tricot or a fleece.

Abstract: A footwear construction including a barrier element that restricts the transfer of water into the footwear. The footwear can include an upper joined with a sole, with at least one of the upper and sole defining a channel that allows air to circulate to the upper. The barrier element can be located in the channel, and can include a phase change material that swells to close the channel when subjected to water. The barrier element can act as a valve to restrict the flow of water into the upper through the channel when subjected to water. The barrier element can be water absorbing polymer included in a non-woven sheet. When dry, the barrier element can allow air to pass through the channel and circulate to an interior of the upper. The barrier element can be wetted and dried repeatedly, yet still function to restrict water flow into the footwear.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article of footwear having a direct attach sole component includes providing an upper and a receptacle shell that defines a receptacle adapted to receive a cushion insert. A molding insert is placed into the receptacle, and the upper is joined with the receptacle shell. A mold is closed about the receptacle shell and at least a portion of the upper to form a mold cavity corresponding to the direct attach sole component. Material is introduced into the mold cavity to form the direct attach sole component. The mold insert protects the shell from deformation during the molding process. The mold insert is removed and replaced with a cushioning insert after the molding process. The footwear can optionally include a partially transparent shell that supports a sole component that receives a cushion insert, such that the cushion insert and/or sole component are visible through the shell.

Abstract: A welted footwear construction with a direct-attach outsole and an internal tray containing a low density cushioning material. The welt may be secured to the upper and insole by one line of stitching and to the tray by a second line of stitching. The tray may include separate heel and forefoot cavities, each containing a low density cushioning material. The tray may be manufactured from thermoplastic urethane (“TPU”) and may contain low-density polyurethane (“PU”). The low-density PU may be molded in place within the cavities in the tray. The outsole may be directly attached to the undersurface of the tray, and may be manufactured from high-density PU.

Abstract: A footwear sole includes shock absorbing elements that extend from upper and lower plates. In one embodiment, the shock absorbing elements include a bridge defining a plurality of receptacles extending from the lower plate and a plurality of protrusions extending from the upper plate. Each protrusion is associated with one receptacle, and a portion of each protrusion extends into the receptacle.

Abstract: A footwear construction including an upper, a midsole including a midsole flange, and an outsole shell including an outsole flange. The flanges can project outwardly, away from the upper in the forefoot portion. The flanges can be joined with a direct attach bond and a lock stitch. The flanges can each terminate short of the heel portion. The lock stitch can terminate short of the heel portion, and can be visible above and below the joined flanges. The midsole can include a fully exposed and viewable portion in the heel portion of the footwear. The midsole can include a heel cup integrally formed with the midsole flange. A method for constructing the footwear includes direct attaching a midsole to an upper and an outsole including an outsole flange. The midsole can form with a midsole flange, and the midsole flange and outsole flange can be stitched together with a lock stitch.

Abstract: A footwear construction including an upper secured to a platform defining an aperture, a cushion at least partially in the aperture, a California construction joined with the upper that wraps the platform, and an outsole. The California construction can terminate short of the heel, and the upper can join the platform via another construction, for example, by adhering the upper to the platform, in the heel. The cushion insert can define one or more recesses, such as concave contours in which the toe(s) of a wearer can rest to reduce the profile of the toe(s) above the cushion insert. A method for making the footwear is provided, including: joining an upper with a platform defining an aperture on a last; placing a cushioned insert within the aperture; wrapping a California flange around a portion of the platform; and joining an outsole with the platform, the cushioned insert and/or the upper.