Abstract: A shoe construction which is adjustable in girth to accommodate different foot widths includes a show upper having side edge margins attached to the edges of the shoe sole. The sole is deformable to permit a vertical component of motion of at least one shoe upper side edge margin relative to the foot support surface in the shoe so as to adjust the shoe girth sufficiently to accommodate the width of the foot inserted into the shoe. Various means for achieving such girth adjustment automatically and manually are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sports shoe is disclosed which is provided with a heel counter comprising a heel side wall part shaped with a curve along an under heel part of shoe, and a lower surface part formed integrally with the inner wall surface of the heel side wall part as projected inside the curve, the lower surface part being provided with a plurality of recesses or through holes defined with a plurality of wall members protruding in a direction intersecting the surface of the lower surface part, the heel counter being formed of a hard elastic material, and the heel counter being nipped between the upper of shoe and the sole of shoe.

Abstract: An improved jumping shoe attachment is intended for use with a conventional shoe and includes a base, a shoe holder and plural shock cords which extend between the base and the shoe holder and which allow resilient, returnable vertical movemnt of the shoe holder relative to the base. The base includes top and bottom margins which are spaced from one another by a rigid, continuous wall extending therebetween. The shoe holder is constructed to receive a shoe thereon and includes straps for holding the shoe to the holder.

Abstract: A shoe heel scuff protector for the heel and counter portions of a women's shoe which prevents marring caused by contact with the floor of an automobile while driving. The protector is comprised of upper and lower endless elastic bands interconnected by an endless wall or sleeve. Installation of the protector on the shoe is facilitated by a pull-on loop. The upper endless band grips the shoe around the back of the counter and under the shank. The lower endless band grips the shoe about the top of the heel adjacent the bottom of the counter. The wall fits loosely over the shoe between the endless bands.

Abstract: A protector for use in sporting activities which is sized to cover the chest and abdomen of its wearer is provided with an outer layer formed of a light-weight leather or leather-like material, an inner layer formed of batting, and closed-cell foam pads provided intermediate the inner and outer layers. Optionally, a lightweight breathable material may be placed alongside the batting. The foam pads are sized and positioned to cover selected vulnerable portions of the chest and abdomen region from damage resulting from a direct impact thereto. The use of foam pads instead of a foam layer throughout the protector maintains the maneuverability of the protector without sacrificing an appreciable loss of protection to the wearer.

Abstract: A protective leg pad for an athletic participant, such as a hockey goalie or the like, is described. The pad includes a thigh section, a knee section, a shin section, and a foot section. Each of the sections includes a front portion and first and second side portions appended to the front portion. Each side portion extends from a respective opposite lateral edge of the front portions and forms therewith a recess for accommodating the wearer's leg. Each of the front and side portions comprises a protective plate. The front portions of the thigh, knee, shin and foot sections are hinged to each other to accommodate the shape and movement of the wearer's leg. The adjacent edges of each adjacent pair of side portions are relieved to provide side relief gaps for enabling flexion of the leg pad during use. Plating is arranged with overlapping portions aligned with the side relief gaps to provide protection over the gaps while permitting the gaps to expand and contract with leg flexure.

Abstract: A composite sole structure for footwear and the like is disclosed. The sole structure includes a plurality of adjacent tubular members adapted to contain a gaseous medium under pressure at a selected value. The tubular members are provided with a composite structure including an inner layer of resilient elastomeric material impermeable to diffusion of the gaseous medium therethrough; an outer layer of a flexible mesh material resistant to expansion but sufficiently compliant to cooperate with the inner resilient layer to provide a cushioning effect in response to shock forces and a resilient flexible material forming a matrix about the tubular members. In an alternate embodiment aa second or outer layer of a resilient elastomeric material is provided over the flexible mesh layer to provide additional strength and resistance to diffusion of gases.

Abstract: A flexible hand glove to whose multi-dimensionally stretchable back portion is attached a protective package to protect the back of the hand while still providing a hand-conforming fit during activity. The protective package is made from one or several layers of flexible, durable materials that offer abrasion and impact protection, and may be attached to the back portion of the glove with seams either coincident or not coincident with the seams joining the front and back portions of the glove.

Abstract: An improved toe guard for footwear and footwear so made are disclosed. The toe guard is non-metallic, reducing thereby risks associated with electrical shocks and the detonation of land mines. Preferably, the final composite from which the toe guard is molded is produced from an intermediate composite that is extruded while molten in strips from a die at the same time that fibers are advanced through the die together with and enveloped by the extruded strips. These strips are cut into predetermined lengths and the resulting sections are mixed and compacted in their molten state to provide the composite for the toe guard, this composite being such that the fiber is distributed in groups, adjacent increments of the strands of a given group being substantially parallel, but the strands of different groups being at random angles with respect to each other. Preferably, the toe guard is formed with a long top portion to provide protection extending beyond the toes.

Abstract: A footwear includes a sole having a rear socket, a middle transverse ventilation channel, and a plurality of front longitudinal ventilation channels fluidically communicated with a wearer's toe portions, an elastic pad having a plurality of longitudinal holes or elastic tubes formed in the rear socket of the sole, an upper cover covering the sole having a filter formed on a front toe portion of the upper cover, and an inner sole having a plurality of perforations in the front toe portion, so that the elastic pad may serve as a pump for sucking air from the wearer's toe portions, through the perforations of inner sole, the filter of upper cover and the longitudinal channels in the sole and for discharging the air through the transverse channel towards an environment, and the elastic pad may also serve as a shock absorber during sporting or jogging uses.

Abstract: A shoe construction which is adjustable in girth to accommodate different foot widths includes a shoe upper having side edge margins attached non-elastically to the edges of the shoe sole. At least one side margin of the sole is deformable to permit a vertical component of motion of the corresponding shoe upper side margin with respect to a foot support surface inside the shoe so as to adjust the shoe girth with respect to a foot support surface inside the shoe to accommodate the width of the foot inserted into the shoe. Various shoe constructions for achieving such girth adjustment automatically and manually are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved necktie is shown having an elongate body with a large width portion adjacent one end and having a small width portion adjacent an opposite end. A knot is located intermediate the ends of the elongate body. A neck loop extends from the knot and is divided to form first and second adjacent ends. A clasp is attached to the first adjacent end and has an opening. A flexible strip is attached to the second adjacent neck loop end. The flexible strip has a fixed end joined to the second neck loop end and has a free end adapted to loop through the clasp opening. The free has a fastener which engages the fixed end when the flexible strip is looped through the clasp opening to secure the neck loop about the neck of the wearer.

Abstract: A sole arrangement for footwear or the like comprises an insole and an outsole. On the side of the outsole which faces the bearing surface, the insole is provided with a support system comprising a plurality of webs and channels and which is substantially arranged in the metatarsal region. The tread surface of the outsole which faces the ground has two web-like profile parts and a flat support part and is subdivided into individual support regions which are separated from one another substantially by a recess oriented in the longitudinal direction of the tread surface and are provided with channels and webs arranged approximately at right angles to a longitudinal axis of the sole arrangement.

Abstract: A method for constructing a slipper sock from a sock and a flexible sole is provided. After adhering the sole to the bottom of the sock, the sock is turned inside out and then a stitch is run along the perimeter of the sock sole in order to create a uniform and aesthetically appealing seam along the raw edge of the sole when the slipper sock is turned right side out.

Abstract: A shoe cover comprises a pouch which is closed with the exception of an opening at the area of the shoe heel. The pouch has two lobes, one covering the outside of the shoe and one covering the inside of the shoe when the shoe cover is installed and the shoe is worn, to provide a swift and easy change in shoe appearance without the necessity of carrying multiple pairs of shoes, and top provide protection for the shoes, or against contamination.

Abstract: Disclosed is a protective metal mesh glove that has no side opening, yet has a wide enough opening for the hand of the user to fit inside. A V-shaped portion of metal mesh is secured to the sides of the slit to enclose a wearer's hand with metal mesh. When a closure strap is opened, the V-shaped portion extends to its full V-shape. When the glove is fastened by tightening and securing the strap, the upper tips of the V-shaped section overlap each other, thereby securely and completely closing the glove.

Abstract: A glove having an open mesh back portion, the front portion of the glove comprising a layer of foam sandwiched between layers of absorbing material. The glove provides easy access for wiping perspiration from the face and body of runners, exercise enthusiasts or other active persons.

Abstract: A shoe insole includes a magnetized insole body formed of a mixture including rubber and magnetic poweder, the body having a first and second generally flat surface, and reinforcing sheets juxtaposed to each of the first and second surfaes. The insole has projections projecting from at least one of the surfaces, the projections being formed integrally with the body, and at least one of the sheets having projecting sheet portions projecting into such projections.

Abstract: A garment for use in a radioactive environment comprises a front portion, a rear portion, a shoulder portion used for suspending the garment over the body of a wearer, and an elasticized belt fixed to the garment at substantially waist or hip level. The belt is adapted to be stretched, tightened and secured around the waist or hips such that at least a part of the weight of the garment is substantially transferred to the waist or hips. The front portion of the garment has a lower flap adapted to lie against the front of the wearer and an upper flap for folding over the lower flap. The elasticized belt is secured releasably to the upper flap of the rear portion.

Abstract: An insulated all weather garment in male and female configuration is disclosed which includes an internal waterproof layer having sealed .[.stitching.]. .Iadd.seams, .Iaddend.protecting the upper legs and lower torso of a wearer from moisture penetrating from the outdoor atmosphere.