Abstract: A heel structure for an article of footwear protrudes rearward from a heel region of an article of footwear in a direction generally aligned with the longitudinal orientation of the footwear article.

Abstract: A shoe comprises an upper and a sole. The sole includes: a midsole covering a lower surface of the upper, the midsole having an external surface having a facing region facing the upper and a non-facing region excluding the facing region; and an additional sole material covering a portion of the non-facing region. The midsole is provided with a notch reaching both the facing region and the non-facing region. The additional sole material has a body portion stuck to the non-facing region, a bonding portion stuck to both the upper and the midsole to bond them together, and an embedded portion embedded in the notch of the midsole. The body portion and the bonding portion are connected together via the embedded portion and thus integrated together such that the body portion and the bonding portion are spaced from each other in a thickness-wise direction of the midsole.

Abstract: A sole structure of an article of footwear is provided and includes a first midsole portion including a first sidewall and a second midsole portion including a second sidewall. The sole structure also includes a first sheet disposed between the first midsole portion and the second midsole portion and including a first surface and a second surface formed on an opposite side of the first sheet than the first surface. The first sheet includes one or more apertures extending through the first sheet from the first surface to the second surface. The first midsole portion and the second midsole portion are operably connected through the one or more apertures of the first sheet.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a midsole having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, the bottom surface including a first recess. A first bladder is disposed within the first recess and a first outsole member is coupled to the midsole and includes a ground-engaging surface having a first traction element and a second traction element. The first traction element is aligned with the first bladder and defines a first height relative to the ground-engaging surface, the second traction element is aligned with the first bladder and defines a second height relative to the ground-engaging surface, the second height being greater than the first height.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a forefoot region disposed adjacent an anterior end, a heel region disposed adjacent a posterior end, and a mid-foot region disposed intermediate the forefoot region and the heel region. The sole structure further includes fluid-filled bladder having a first segment extending along a medial side in the heel region, a second segment extending along a lateral side in the heel region, and a web area disposed between the first segment and the second segment. Additionally, the sole structure includes an outer sole member having an upper portion extending from a first end in the forefoot region to a second end in the heel region. The second end of the outer sole member is received on a first side of the web area. The outer sole member also includes a rib extending downwardly from the upper portion and defining a cavity.

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: Improved soles and insoles for shoes, in particular sports shoes, are described. In an aspect, a sole for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, with at least a first and a second surface region is provided. The first surface region comprises expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (“TPU”). The second surface region is free from expanded TPU.

Abstract: A shoe includes a first plate, a second plate, a third plate, filler material, springs, an insole, and a midsole. The first plate and the second plate are hingedly connected to each other. The filler material is located between the first plate and the second plate. The springs are located within openings in the filler material. The third plate is affixed to a top surface of the first plate. The insole is located above the third plate. The first plate is made of a thermoplastic elastomer, and the third plate is made of carbon fiber. Another shoe includes a midsole, a plate located above the midsole, springs located at least partially within openings in the midsole, and a spring holding unit located below the midsole for holding the springs. The spring holding unit includes spring holding members and branches connecting corresponding spring holding members.

Abstract: Ground-engaging components for articles of footwear include: (a) an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an open space at least at a forefoot support area of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim is shaped such that the outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component tapers or curves inward moving from a forefoot support area to an arch support area, and wherein a narrowest dimension from a lateral side edge to a medial side edge of the outer perimeter boundary rim is located in a heel support area of the ground-engaging component; and (b) a support structure extending into or at least partially across the open space. The ground-engaging component may have a narrower width dimension in a central heel or rear heel support area than in the arch support area.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure and a guide secured to the inner surface of the sole structure. An outer surface of the bottom of an upper is secured to the inner surface of the sole structure, the upper and the guide forming a passage. A tensioning component extends along the guide in the passage, and extends out of the passage at a medial side and/or a lateral side of the upper. An increase in tension in the tensioning component flexibly conforms the sole structure to a foot disposed in the upper. A method of manufacturing the article of footwear includes placing an upper on a last, applying adhesive on an inner surface of a sole structure, placing a guide on the adhesive, the tensioning component on the guide, and the inner surface of the sole structure against an outer surface of the upper.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a forefoot region disposed adjacent an anterior end, a heel region disposed adjacent a posterior end, and a mid-foot region disposed intermediate the forefoot region and the heel region. The sole structure further includes fluid-filled bladder having a first segment extending along a medial side in the heel region, a second segment extending along a lateral side in the heel region, and a web area disposed between the first segment and the second segment. Additionally, the sole structure includes an outer sole member having an upper portion extending from a first end in the forefoot region to a second end in the heel region. The second end of the outer sole member is received on a first side of the web area. The outer sole member also includes a rib extending downwardly from the upper portion and defining a cavity.

Abstract: A shoe includes: an upper member containing a knit fabric, a knit-like fabric, and/or a woven fabric as a primary member and forming a part of a medial side surface, a part of a lateral side surface, and a part of a back surface; an outsole member made of thermoplastic resin and forming a bottom portion including a contact surface, and a peripheral portion attached at least partially to respective lower parts of the medial and lateral side surfaces and a lower part of the back surface and connected to the bottom portion; and a sock liner inserted in interior space defined by the upper member and the outsole member. The upper member defines an opening at which at least a part of the lateral side surface is cut. The outsole member includes a window portion covering the opening. The window portion is made of a semi-transparent material that makes at least a part of a lateral side surface of the sock liner in the interior space visible through the window portion covering the opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to footwear with flexible display means, comprising: a) at least one strap that is comprised of a flexible thin display panel, b) a sole comprising attachment latches adapted to attach the at least one strap to the sole; and an electrical circuitry configured to enable the flexible thin display panel to display digital content.

Abstract: Provided is a shoe sole, wherein ventilation grooves recessed in the thickness direction of the shoe sole are formed in the upper surface part, the shoe sole has a forefoot portion that has an air intake port formed in at least one of a medial side wall and a lateral side wall in the side wall part to be in communication with the ventilation grooves and draw air from outside into the ventilation grooves, the shoe sole has a midfoot portion that has an air outlet port formed in at least one of the medial side wall and the lateral side wall to be in communication with the air intake port through the ventilation grooves and discharge air in the ventilation groove to the outside, and at least a part of the ventilation grooves constitutes an air intake groove extending obliquely rearward from the air intake port.

Abstract: A rapid-entry shoe having a heel arm configured to transition between a collapsed configuration, for easy donning and doffing of the shoe, and an uncollapsed configuration, for securing a foot inside the shoe, the shoe having a resilient member configured to bias the heel arm toward the uncollapsed configuration.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a forefoot region disposed adjacent an anterior end, a heel region disposed adjacent a posterior end, and a mid-foot region disposed intermediate the forefoot region and the heel region. The sole structure further includes fluid-filled bladder having a first segment extending along a medial side in the heel region, a second segment extending along a lateral side in the heel region, and a web area disposed between the first segment and the second segment. Additionally, the sole structure includes an outer sole member having an upper portion extending from a first end in the forefoot region to a second end in the heel region. The second end of the outer sole member is received on a first side of the web area. The outer sole member also includes a rib extending downwardly from the upper portion and defining a cavity.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for efficiently and rapidly cleaning the bottom of a shoe. The system includes a base having a plurality of alternating, complementary shaped cleansing portions separated by grooves. The configuration of the cleansing portions provides for a sturdy and efficient device for cleaning the bottom of a shoe.

Abstract: A shoe insole includes a semi-rigid shell for providing a wearer with extended comfort. The semi-rigid shell includes a notch which is located on the outward side of the wearer's foot and accommodates pronation of the foot during use. Additionally, the semi-rigid shell includes an extended side portion which is located opposite of the notch side on an inner side of the wearer's foot. The semi-rigid shell is shorter in length than the length of a shoe sole and slightly shorter in width and may be combined with an insole comfort cover to provide cushion between the wearer's foot and the semi-rigid shell.

Abstract: An article of footwear having a sole structure and an upper, the sole structure includes an outsole with a ground-engaging surface, a first cushioning member disposed between the outsole and the upper in a heel region of the sole structure, a second cushioning member disposed between the outsole and the upper in a forefoot region of the sole structure, and a sole plate having a rear portion and a curved portion that includes an anterior curved portion and a posterior curved portion. Additionally, the anterior curved portion is disposed proximate the second cushioning member, a portion of the posterior curved portion spans between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member, and the rear portion is disposed between the first cushioning member and the upper. Further, the ground-engaging surface is not continuous along a midfoot region of the article of footwear.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising a sole and an upper on the sole. The sole comprises a dandelion latex foam material. The dandelion latex foam material comprises dandelion latex and at least one other natural or synthetic polymer. The dandelion latex foam material is between 20% and 80% dandelion latex.