Abstract: An extendable heel for adjusting the height of a heel. The extendable heel includes a heel body and one or more heel portions that are moveable between an extend position and a retracted position. In a retracted position, the heel portions are housed within the heel body and in an extended position, the heel portions are positioned below the heel body. A locking mechanism is operably connected to the heel portions and controls the height and position of the heel portions. The locking mechanism can receive a key that allows a user to control the position of the heel portions. In one use, the turning of the key in a first direction causes a cylinder to rotate, which allows the heel portions to freely move into the extended position. The key can be turned in the opposing direction to secure the heel portion in the extended position.

Abstract: A head-worn assembly is disclosed including a head-worn device supported on a headband. The headband may include a first loop positioned around the head, and possibly a second loop affixed to the first loop and positioned over the head. Weight distribution and comfort of the head-worn assembly may be optimized by mounting the head-worn device at an approximate center (front to back) of the headband, and further balancing the weight of the head-worn device (front to back) over the mounting point. The weight distribution and comfort of the head-worn assembly may be further optimized by providing several user-customizable adjustments to the head-worn assembly.

Abstract: Footwear is provided with a closure system that is easily replaceable by the user. The closure system includes a strap that is preferably secured to the shoe through a hook and loop fastener. The strap is interchangeable and can include a variety of colors, designs, logos. The footwear can include multiple straps.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing sock is shown and described. In one embodiment, the sock is a shock-absorbing athletic sock generally conforming to the shape of a human foot that includes a heel portion, a mid-foot portion and a shock absorbing assembly. The shock absorbing assembly may include a cavity assembly and a shock absorbing material. In other embodiments, the sock may include a slip-avoidance system.

Abstract: An article of footwear can include provisions for improving the operation and use of various systems associated with the article. A control device included in the article can be configured to allow manual control of a system by a user. A lockout feature that can disable manual control may be included. During periods of competitive activity, the manual controls may be disabled to allow a user wearing the article to engage in different activities without inadvertent activation of a system. In some cases, the control device and lockout feature can be used in conjunction with a motorized tensioning system.

Abstract: A method of forming a decorated midsole element for articles of footwear includes obtaining a decorated film having one or more graphic elements applied to a first surface of the film and placing the decorated film in a mold. A midsole element is obtained and placed in the mold, and pressure is applied to the mold to form a midsole element having a decorated surface. The decorated film may include a layer of polyether-block co-polyamide polymer and the midsole element may be formed of ethylvinylacetate. A midsole assembly and an article of footwear having decorated midsole top layers are also described.

Abstract: A shoe including a slip resistant sole having a bottom face, wherein the sole includes a plurality of arcuate-shaped lugs having non-linear edges, each lug including an inner arc and an outer arc, wherein the outer arc is a convex side and the inner arc is a concave side shorter than the convex side, and each lug includes a groove transecting the lug, wherein the lugs are arranged into a pinwheel pattern group that includes three of the lugs, wherein the bottom face of the sole includes a plurality of the pinwheel pattern groups, and wherein each of the pinwheel pattern groups is radially symmetrical and bilaterally asymmetrical.

Abstract: A layered structure that includes at least a first layer and a second layer is provided. The second layer includes at least one barrier layer. A bonding substance is partially disposed between the barrier layer and the first layer to create a bond between the barrier layer and the first layer. The bonding substance contains a first component that has, at 25° C., a shear modulus of not more than 3×105 Pa in accordance with the Dahlquist criterion. The bonding substance may also contain a second component having adhesive characteristics. The first component also has a low viscosity such that a force (F) between the first and second layers which acts on at least one of the layers in a force action area is distributed by a plastic flow onto an area which is larger than the force action area.

Abstract: In one aspect, a protective headwear is provided and includes an outer shell, a first shell duct coupled to the outer shell and including a first exhaust port, and a second shell duct coupled to the outer shell and spaced apart from the first shell duct. The second shell duct includes a second exhaust port. The protective headwear also includes a manifold positioned externally of the outer shell and configured to divert airflow into at least a first potion of airflow and a second portion of airflow. The manifold includes a first diversion member coupled to and in fluid communication with the first shell duct to provide the first portion of airflow to the first shell duct, and a second diversion member coupled to and in fluid communication with the second shell duct to provide the second portion of airflow to the second shell duct.

Abstract: A detachable sweat absorbing liner system has left and right sweat absorbing liners. The left and right sweat absorbing liners are removably attachable to inner frontal left and right necklines of an upper garment by left and right fasteners, respectively. The left and right sweat absorbing liners each has a moisture-sensitive medication. The moisture-sensitive medication protects and improves a user's facial area upon the use of the left and right sweat absorbing liners.

Abstract: A head covering system comprises a cap as an inner component and an outer head covering that cooperate to help protect the head from the elements but helps to protect against vision obstruction when the head is moved. A headgear system comprises a cap having a head engaging portion and a visor that engages and moves with the head of the user. An outer covering fits over the cap and at least a portion of the head of the user comprises head covering portion, an optionally a neck covering portion, and a bill attached to the head covering portion.

Abstract: A sole assembly for an article of footwear has a curved spring plate that stores and releases spring energy to aid in forward propulsion. The curved spring plate has a center portion and opposite end portions extending from the center portion. A retaining member is secured to the end portions such that the retaining member spans across and bows the center portion. Flexing of the spring plate stores spring energy in the spring plate that urges the center portion to unflex and release the spring energy.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus related to footwear including a modular lacing engine for automated lace tightening. In an example, a modular footwear apparatus includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and a lacing engine for automated lace tightening. The upper portion can include a lace to adjust fit of the upper portion against a foot, the lace adjustable between a first position and a second position based at least in part on manipulation of an effective length of the lace. The lower portion can include a mid-sole and an out-sole, and the lower portion can be coupled to the upper portion at the mid-sole. The lacing engine can include a top-loading lace spool to engage a loop of the lace to enable manipulation of the effective length of the lace through rotation of the lace spool, the lacing engine received within a cavity in the lower portion.

Abstract: A head garment for privacy and methods of using the same. The head garment has a frame including an elongated member, the frame including a loop portion that extends upward and forward from a rear portion that includes a tail, the loop portion including a rim, a veil having a rear portion that is connected to the rear portion of the frame and a front portion that is connected to the rim. The tension in the portion of the veil that spans between the connection to the rear portion of the frame and to the rim provides support for the rim, and the front portion of the veil extends beyond and drapes downward from the rim. The head garment is usable with a ventilation system and/or an electronic device and may be folded for stowing in a container.

Abstract: A golf sandal for providing comfort, stability, and superior traction. More specifically, a golf sandal having an outsole and midsole made of polyurethane, a gap between the outsole and the midsole, a strap having a central portion located in the gap between the outsole and midsole and ends that secure to each other, and a plurality of soft spikes on the bottom of the outsole, wherein each soft spike is the shape of a webbed foot. The soft spikes enable a wearer to have better traction compared to existing golf sandals.

Abstract: A folding hat that eliminates the risk of damaging the cloth by an elastic ring for a long life. The folding hat has the elastic ring sewn in an outer circumferential edge of a brim, and the elastic ring is formed by coupling both ends of a flat wire rod shaped by rolling spring steel round wire. Regarding the elastic ring, both ends of the flat wire rod are preferably coupled by: inserting both ends of the flat wire rod in both sides of a tubular metal stop, respectively; and crushing the metal stop. The metal stop has a pair of facing convex parts on which the tips of both ends of the flat wire rod can respectively abut at an inner center part that may be used.

Abstract: A helmet can include a helmet body comprising an energy-absorbing layer and an outer shell disposed over the energy-absorbing layer. An electronic device can be integrated with the helmet body. A first electrical contact can be formed at an exterior of the outer shell and adapted to be in electrical communication with the electronic device. A helmet visor can be coupled to the helmet body with at least one visor arm, the helmet visor comprising controls integrated within the visor. A second electrical contact can be formed at an inner surface of the at least one visor arm and adapted to be in electrical communication with the controls integrated within the visor. The second electrical contact can be adapted to mateably couple with the first electrical contact such that the electronic device and the controls are adapted to be in electrical contact.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for aiding in the taking on and off a glove of an elastic material from a hand of a user, wherein the opening of the glove is reinforced by a flexible collar, the device comprising. The device according to the invention comprises a container with an opening for receiving the glove and the hand, and with a circumferential rim for supporting the collar of the glove such that the container and the glove inserted into the container form a closed compartment. The container comprises means such as a bellow to change the volume of the container and thereby of the pressure within the container. Further, a vent is placed in the container such as to be opened by the hand from within the compartment for removing any under pressure when the container volume is increased, such that the hand inserted in a glove can be easily withdrawn from the compartment.

Abstract: A liner assembly for a protective helmet has a wrap-around pad inside the helmet with plural circular cells spaced along a curved line, at least one additional cell at each end of the line and one additional cell located off the line. A crown pad removably engageable in a crown of the helmet and two L-shaped jaw pads removably engageable to jaw flaps of the helmet. Each cell includes an outer sheet welded around its perimeter to the perimeter of an inner sheet, each inner sheet engaging a player's head and defining one enclosure for each cell. Each cell containing a foam cushion and multiple spaced apart hollow protrusions contacting the inside of the helmet. Each protrusion has an open large diameter base near the cushion and flat smaller diameter peak engaging the helmet. Each protrusions also having a conical side wall tapering from base to peak.

Abstract: A shoe includes an outsole and a vamp, and a first opening is defined in the top of the shoe. A first connection portion is located along the periphery of the first opening. A water-proof sock is inserted into the first opening and has a second opening defined in the top thereof. A second connection portion is formed at the periphery of the second opening. The first connection portion is detachably connected to the second connection portion to secure the water-proof sock to the shoe. The water-proof sock can be removed from the shoe by separating the first connection portion from the second connection portion.