Abstract: Described are soles for a shoe, in particular for a sports shoe, with a midsole. The midsole includes a first sole region, which includes particle foam. The midsole further includes a deformation region within the midsole, wherein the deformation region has a volume greater than that of a single expanded particle and is positioned so that it allows a sideward deformation of the material of the first sole region under a pressure load on the sole.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a first sole member, and a second sole member. The first sole member is connected to the upper. Together, the first sole member and the upper define a cavity. The first sole member includes an outer surface and a textured inner surface, the textured inner surface defining a pattern of shapes. The second sole member is positioned in the cavity. The second sole member includes a textured lower surface directly engaging the textured inner surface of the first sole member. The textured lower surface of the second sole member is complementary to the textured inner surface of the first sole member.

Abstract: The present invention provides an item of footwear. It is desired to provide an item of footwear (100) which provides an attractive appearance whilst maintaining the comfort of the user. It is particularly advantageous to deliver a thinner item of footwear (100), which still maintains the comfort of a thicker item. An item of footwear (100) comprises a securing means for securing the item of footwear (100) to a foot of a user; and a sole for engaging a foot of a user in use, the sole having a heel region (20) for supporting the heel of a wearer in use and a forward region (30) for supporting the forefoot of a wearer in use, wherein: the sole (1) has a raised protrusion (22) forming the upper surface (2) in a first portion of the heel region (20).

Abstract: A sole arrangement for an article of footwear with a gradient depth value is provided. In one aspect of the disclosure, the sole arrangement extending from an end of a posterior area of the sole arrangement to an end of an anterior area of the sole arrangement, wherein the posterior area of the sole arrangement being formed under a heel area and the anterior area of the sole arrangement being formed under a forefoot area of a foot. The sole arrangement having an upper facing surface and a ground engaging surface, wherein the upper facing surface being on an opposite side of the sole arrangement than the ground engaging surface. The sole arrangement having a maximum posterior depth value. The sole arrangement having a maximum anterior depth value. The maximum posterior depth value may be smaller than the maximum anterior depth value by a first margin.

Abstract: A heel clamp, or posterior component, for an article of footwear is provided. The heel clamp may comprise a posterior component height value measuring a height value from a lowest point under the heel of the foot on an upper facing surface to a top of the posterior component. A lateral component and a medial component of the heel clamp may include a predetermined height value or an extension height value. The lateral component may be extending into or through an area in-between a lateral malleolus bone of the foot and an Achilles tendon of the foot, the medial component may be extending into or through an area in-between a medial malleolus bone of the foot and the Achilles tendon of the foot, and the intermediate component may be extending to an area of an end of a top of a calcaneus bone of the foot.

Abstract: The present invention provides an outsole, comprising, at least one recess located at a ground engaging or outer surface of the outsole and having: (a) a depth of between 10% to 95% of the maximum thickness of the outsole; and (b) an area that covers between 10% to 95% of the entire ground engaging or outer surface of the outsole.

Abstract: A shoe sole comprises a bottom surface including a plurality of grooves arranged in a longitudinal direction of the shoe sole for engaging the engagement parts 6a, 6b that are formed parallel to the pedal shaft 8 of the bicycle pedal, and a protrusion having a ground contact surface between the grooves adjacent in the longitudinal direction, the sole characterized in that the protrusion has a width W2 in the longitudinal direction on an inner side in the left-right direction with respect to both feet of a wearer that is wider than a width W1 on an outer side in the left-right direction with respect to both feet of a wearer.

Abstract: Foot support systems, e.g., for articles of footwear, include systems for changing the hardness or firmness of the foot support portion (e.g., of a sole structure) and/or systems for moving (e.g., selectively moving) fluid between various portions of the foot support system. Such systems may include: a foot support bladder, a pump, and a fluid reservoir. Two or more fluid transfer lines may be provided to connect these components, and these fluid lines are equipped with fluid flow control device(s) and/or check valves to enable selective movement of fluid between the fluid reservoir and the foot support bladder. Such systems enable one to set and maintain two or more foot support pressures in the foot support bladder.

Abstract: An article of footwear and method of manufacturing includes a midsole, an upper, secured with respect to the midsole, forming an opening to admit a foot of a wearer, the opening being adjustable between a first segment of the upper and a second segment of the upper to secure the article of footwear to the foot of the wearer, and a slidable securing device. The slidable securing device is coupled between the first segment and the second segment of the upper, configured to slide along a length of track and secure the first and second segments together. A motorized lacing system engages with a lace to increase and decrease tension on the lace. The lace is secured to the slidable securing device, and when tension is placed on the lace, the lace causes the slidable securing device to slide along the track and secure the first and second segments together.

Abstract: [Problem] An object of the present invention is to provide a footwear that reduces deceleration in a traveling direction at landing on the ground and that facilitates acceleration at treading on the ground.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming a custom fitted shoe insole. The method includes placing a shoe insole template plate proximate a heating element that heats the shoe insole template plate to a temperature sufficient to make it deformable. The method further includes placing the sufficiently heated shoe insole template plate onto a foam structure, placing a foot of a user on the heated shoe insole template plate, and applying foot pressure to the heated shoe insole template plate, causing it to deform to match a topology of the sole of the user's foot. The shoe insole template plate is then removed from the foam structure, cooled and hardened, and inserted into a shoe as the custom fitted shoe insole.

Abstract: A shoe sole includes a rear bottom surface part and a toe portion. The rear bottom surface part is formed to extend from a rearfoot portion to a midfoot portion and, when the shoe sole is placed on a flat virtual surface, the rear bottom surface part is in contact with the virtual surface. A height of the toe portion from the virtual surface is set to 170% or greater and 250% or less with respect to a thickness dimension in the rear bottom surface part.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes a first cushioning member disposed in a heel region of the sole structure and a second cushioning member disposed in a forefoot region of the sole structure. The second cushioning member is spaced apart from the first cushioning member by a gap that extends between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member. A sole plate extends across the gap between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member.

Abstract: According to the various embodiments of the present disclosure, footwear with an enhanced toe post is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the footwear may comprise a sole portion to support and protect a wearer's foot, a strap portion attached to the sole to bind the footwear to a wearer's foot, and at least one toe post passing between a wearer's toes constructed at least partially of memory foam or other cushioning materials.

Abstract: Provided is, among other things, a shoe having a sole that includes multiple layers and an upper attached to and extending above the sole. In addition, the shoe includes a tab having: (1) a first portion, located between adjacent layers of the sole and thus hidden from view, that is imprinted with identification information pertaining to the shoe and (2) a second portion that is visible during ordinary use of the shoe.

Abstract: A footwear article for watersports comprising a sole, a vamp in connection with the sole and an upper fixed with the vamp and the sole. A lacing system disposed on the upper, the lacing system comprises a lace, a first set of anchor points and a second set of anchor points. Said lacing system is disposed on an outer side of the upper and configured such that the lace crosses over itself fewer than six times between anchor points in the closed configuration; and wherein at least one of the vamp and the upper comprises a textured surface, and an upper comprises a strap adapted to extend around at least the perimeter of the upper.

Abstract: Disclosed is a readily removable molded insert for footwear, including dress or casual shoes and sneakers. The insert may be manufactured from a variety of resiliently compressible, semi-rigid, and/or resiliently deformable materials and is designed for the purpose of maintaining the general shape and appearance of the upper section of a shoe. Embodiments of the insert are specifically designed to adapt to and conform to the shape of footwear and also to adapt to the contour of a user’s foot while the footwear is being worn. The insert may be further cut, trimmed, or separated to fit a range of shoe sizes, by use of perforations along the outer rim of certain embodiments of the insert. Another embodiment of the insert may remain adhesively attached to the inside of the shoe, or it may be removed and repositioned within the shoe, as necessary.

Abstract: A closure system for a boot or other footwear includes a tension member that is disposed within the boot and routed or guided about a path within the boot via one or more guides. The closure system also includes an adjustment member that is disposed within the boot and operably coupled with the tension member. The closure system further includes a reel based closure device having a knob that is operable to tension the tension member and to release tension from the tension member. Tensioning of the tension member adjusts a fit of the adjustment member about a foot within the boot to secure the foot within the boot and loosening of the tension member adjusts the fit of the adjustment member about the foot to allow the foot to be more easily removed from the boot.

Abstract: A method and kit are provided for the customization of footwear comprising an upper which is partially or totally made of thermoformable material. The method provides for selectively heating the portions made of thermoformable material of the footwear, while leaving the remaining portions of the footwear at a substantially unchanged temperature, and for applying to the thermoformable material portions a pressure sufficient to adapt their shape to the specific morphology of the user's foot. This allows to customize even footwear comprising delicate portions, which would be damaged if subjected to high temperatures. The method may provide for customizing a footbed, partially or totally made of thermoformable material, to the specific morphology of the user's foot sole. The kit is compact, preferably transportable and capable of autonomously carrying out all the steps of the method.

Abstract: Sensors, actuators, energy sources, and data processing for enabling artificial intelligent (AI) integrated automated features of intelligent electronic shoes are provided. The intelligent footwear can gather information from the shoe and send the data to a user interface for monitoring the physical activities of the wearer. A smart thermal actuation system can control the internal temperature of the shoe to offer a comfortable experience to the user. Intelligent footwear can also have systems for multipurpose sensing and actuation modules, which can use energy harvested by the user locomotion or by an energy source accompanied by artificial intelligence to gather and process information for ensuring an enhanced user experience.