Abstract: An article of footwear or another product may incorporate a pressure chamber that includes (a) a bladder at least partially formed from a polymer material that is sealed to enclose a pressurized fluid and (b) a strand wound around the bladder and secured to the bladder. In manufacturing the pressure chamber, a bladder with an elongate configuration may be formed. A strand is wound around the bladder, and the strand is secured to the bladder. When incorporated to a sole structure of the article of footwear, for example, a portion of the bladder that includes the strands may be exposed at an outer surface of the sole structure.

Abstract: An attachment system for attaching shoes having toe and heel areas to a wide variety of sports equipment, in particular to a rowing boat or a rowing machine. The system includes an attachment device that is connected to or otherwise a part of the equipment, and a shoe block assembly that accepts the attachment device. These parts generally removably lock together for use of the equipment, which provides users custom features, better control over the force applied to the equipment via the shoe, and automatic emergency functions. An adjustment device generally fits into the shoe block assembly and is fixed to the shoe block assembly with screws or any other attachment methods, or could be formed as a part of the shoe block assembly, and the shoe block assembly is removably attachable to the attachment device by magnetic force or non-magnetic devices.

Abstract: An article of footwear having a sole that provides friction between the playing surface and the player's foot. In some embodiments, the article footwear includes a sole having a plurality of elongated studs in the heel region in addition to a back lateral stud having a rounded or circular shape located in the back lateral area of the heel.

Abstract: A self-closing helmet strap is contemplated to automatically strap a helmet to a user's head. The self-closing strap may be in the form of a curved strap configuration with the straps configured to curve under the user's chin. The self-closing strap may be a spring strap configuration with a strap designed to self-close with the aid of a spring.

Abstract: An article of footwear, including a sole assembly and an upper, the article of footwear extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and heightwise from the outer sole assembly to an upper end, the article of footwear including a first fitting element as well as a second fitting element. The first fitting element includes a first envelope and a first sole of the strobel type, the first envelope being fixed to the first strobel sole at least with stitching. The second fitting element includes a second envelope and a second sole of the strobel type, the second envelope being fixed to the second strobel sole at least with stitching.

Abstract: A body armor system that includes a fabric carrier configured (i) to be worn by a user and (ii) to hold armor plates. A back armor plate is held by the carrier. A right side plate is held by the carrier and a left side plate is held by the carrier. Straps are configured to wrap horizontally across the user and matingly connect to each other. Straps integral to the carrier are configured to wrap down over the front of the user and matingly connect to the connected horizontal straps. A right thigh plate and a left thigh plate are matingly connected with straps around right and left thighs of the user.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a shoe including an outsole, an upper, and a lining member integrated into the shoe. The sling includes a receptacle portion and a fastener assembly portion. The receptacle portion, which generally lines the interior of the shoe, is secured along the collar of the upper such that the sock is movably suspended within the foot cavity. The fastener assembly is includes a central web and fasteners that wrap around the ankle of a wearer.

Abstract: The present application relates to an insulation pack in a wearable article, such as a footwear article. In one example embodiment, the insulation pack includes a perforated air retention and communication layer, an insulating compressible layer, and a reflective layer. In a compressed state, when the wearable article is worn by a wearer, the perforated air retention and communication layer and the insulating compressible layer maintain a lofted air space which is in air communication with an inner body space of the wearable article and acts as an insulating layer. Further, the reflective layer reflects radiated body heat. Thus, the insulation pack may provide a heat retention and insulation system for the wearable article by reducing body heat lost via radiation and conduction.

Abstract: An expandable shoe has a top portion, a pair of side portions, a back portion, a sole, a heel and a first elastic member. The first elastic member joins the top portion to the pair of side portions at a critical location which is at the junction of the top portion and the side portions. The first elastic member is in the shape of an inverted “U” extending along the front of the shoe. The expandable shoe may further have a second elastic member joining the back portion to the side portions at the critical locations at the junctions of the back and side portions and the junctions of the back and the rear of the sole. The second elastic member is in the shape of an upright “U”.

Abstract: A sandal that includes loops extending around the periphery of the base of the sandal and a strap configured to connect to the loops and form an upper portion of the sandal. The sandals can include a base; a continuous cord that extends along the periphery of the upper surface of the base from a point near the toe end on one side of the base, around the heel end, and continues to a point near the toe end on the opposite side of the base; connectors that connect the cord to the base at spaced locations along the cord to thereby form loops along the base; and a strap. Each loop of the sandal can also include an identifier for each loop. Methods of forming an upper portion of a sandal and methods of forming a sandal.

Abstract: An article of footwear with a ball contacting surface is disclosed. The ball contacting surface includes a raised peak member at the top and gripping members along a medial side. The ball contacting surface enhances the ability of a wearer to kick a ball with a low trajectory and to control the ball.

Abstract: A pneumatic inflation device disposed within the sole of a shoe and comprising a pump with integral air release valve and which is entirely within the sole, a pump actuator which is entirely within the sole when not in use, and an inflatable bladder which is entirely within the sole and is operatively connected to the pump. Such a device can include a mechanism to lock the pump actuator within the sole such that the mechanism's cap is flush with the outer wall of the sole and finger-operable to allow the shoe-wearer to easily operate the inflation device and release air therefrom.

Abstract: A helmet is provided which is to be worn on the head of a helmet wearer and can be removed from the head with a comparatively small force. Operation for removing the helmet, including preliminary operation for it, can be performed easily and quickly. A recess-projection engaging mechanism to attach a blockish inside pad to a head protecting cap portion side includes an engaging pin on the inside pad side or head protecting cap portion side, and a notched engaging hole on the head protecting cap portion side or inside pad side. When pulling the inside pad outward from inside the head protecting cap portion at least partly, the engaging pin moves relative to outside the engaging hole through a notch of the engaging hole.

Abstract: Footwear, and a process for manufacturing the same, the footwear having at least one lower portion of an upper joined by one or more seams to an upper portion that is lined internally with at least one waterproofing membrane, whose lower edge is fixed to the inner surface of the lower portion of the upper by a layer of adhesive arranged at least under the seams.

Abstract: A length-adjustable snowshoe includes a frame and a carrier fixed to the frame. A connecting member mounted to the frame includes two receiving holes. A pivotal portion is formed on a top side of the connecting member. A compartment extends from the pivotal portion through one of the receiving holes. An extension member includes legs slideably received in the receiving holes and is slideable between first and second positions. A sliding member is mounted on the extension member to move therewith. A positioning member is received in the compartment and pivotable between a stop position and a releasing position. The positioning member in the stop position retains the extension member in any location including and intermediate the first and second positions. The extension member can slide between the first and second positions when the positioning member is in the releasing position.

Abstract: A shoe with a height-adjustable heel including a heel having a first heel member fixedly attached to the sole and a second heel member telescopically disposed within the first heel member which is operated by a hydraulic pump disposed in the first heel member and a pump lever, pivotally disposed on a rear wall of the first heel member, by which the hydraulic pump is activated to extend and retract the second heel member to respectively lengthen and shorten the heel and which also includes a twist-lock valve mechanism in a heel tip that controls the passage of air into the hydraulic pump.