Abstract: Disclosed are an elastic sole member which optimizes between a shock absorbing function and repulsive elastic force, between which a tradeoff relationship exists, and a shoe with the elastic sole member. The elastic sole member includes a sole body which is upwardly inclined toward a back end thereof, and an elastic member comprised of a fixing piece inserted through and fixed in a space formed through an upwardly inclined back portion of the sole body, and an elastic plate extending from the fixing plate while it is downwardly inclined and having a first end exposed to the outside and a second end spaced apart from the sole body, in which the elastic sole member elastically contracts when external force is applied to a back portion of the sole body while the fixing piece serves as the elastic support axis and provides elastic recovery force when the external force is removed.

Abstract: A method for making a Goodyear shoe includes the steps of: stitching together a lower edge of an upper and a peripheral edge of an inner midsole so as to form a coupled section; placing a last into an assembly resulting from the previous step; placing an outer welt on an outer surface of the upper at the coupled section and stitching the outer welt, the upper, and the inner midsole together; placing a filler on a bottom surface of the inner midsole; bonding a thin sole to a bottom portion of an assembly that results from the previous step and stitching the thin sole to the outer welt; and bonding an outsole and performing edge-abrading. The method prevents a toe cap portion of the upper from tearing and creasing and dispenses with such steps as gripping the upper, driving wire nails, and trimming the lower edge of the upper.

Abstract: Boots with an integrated scent carrying system are provided. The boots include a vented scented material holder that can leave a scent trail during hunting and/or to mask one's own scent during hunting. The boots are configured to effectively deliver the scent to the hunter's environment.

Abstract: An article of footwear including a strap and a fastener is disclosed. The article of footwear is reversible by configuring the article in two different positions. The article of footwear may include a sole having a first side configured to contact a ground surface in a first position and a second side configured to contact a ground surface in a second position. The article of footwear may include a strap that may be selectively affixed to the second side of the sole in a first position and the first side of the sole in a second position.

Abstract: A dispensing device (1) for separately storing two substances, adapted to dispense and apply proportional amounts of said substances, said device (1) comprising a longitudinal axis (3) about which two receptacles (4, 4?), composed of a flexible material, are disposed, each receptacle (4, 4?), containing one of said two substances and comprising an outlet (5) through winch said substance can be squeezed, said dispensing device (1) being adapted to be folded about the longitudinal axis (3).

Abstract: An article of footwear including a dual lacing system is disclosed. The article of footwear includes a first lace and a second lace. The first lace and the second lace include portions that are interdigitated, these portions being disposed towards an entry hole of the upper. The laces also include provisions for releasably fastening to the sides of the article of footwear.

Abstract: Various arrangements for an article of footwear including an outsole having grooves forming discrete lugs are presented. The outsoles generally include a plurality of grooves formed in at least a portion of the outsole that extend from a lateral side of the outsole to a medial side of the outsole. The grooves may be linear or curved and generally extend in an angular fashion. The grooves may have a first depth at a perimeter of the outsole and a second depth, greater than the first depth, at the center of the outsole. The grooves form discrete lugs. In some arrangements, the lugs are diamond shaped.

Abstract: The present invention employs chimneys and chimneys structures to move or vent heat and moisture away from the foot and out of the microclimate of the shoe. The chimneys define pathways that utilize convection and other principles to cool and dry the foot. The chimneys and chimney structures can have many different configurations, and can be positioned anywhere desired in the upper. For example, chimneys can be positioned on the sidewalls of the upper, in the tongue, or both. Chimneys and chimney structures can also be used with form-fitting foot coverings such as socks or leggings, or used with other apparel. Specialized footbeds can also be employed with footwear chimneys to evacuate hot, moist air away from the underside of the foot and towards the chimneys.

Abstract: The invention relates to an absorbent shoe insole intended to internally line the outsole or sole thereof in order to improve its comfort. The insole is formed from a first profusely perforated water-repellent layer (1) of natural leather or another similar material, a second layer (3) of an absorbent, microporous and hydrophilic material, only allowing the passage of perspiration in a downward direction, a third layer (4) of a purely absorbent material, based on micro-fibers collecting the moisture from the previous layer, a fourth layer (5) based on an open pore heat-formed material acting as a moisture conductor towards the fifth and final layer (6), also of an absorbent material based on micro-fibers and acting as a final moisture collector. An insole with a multi-layer structure is thus achieved, fulfilling the double function of being absorbent and transpirable in addition to forming a flexible, adaptable and shock-absorbing base for the foot of the user.

Abstract: A footwear item including an upper portion; at least one lace passing through eyelets arranged along the edges of an opening on the front the upper portion, and that tightens, thereby drawing the edges of the opening closer to each other, when pulled in a fastening direction; a string locking arrangement, provided in the upper portion having one or more passages in which the at least one lace is inserted and is capable of sliding when the wearer pulls it, while being capable of being retained there by a lock when it is at rest. The lock including an oscillating locking member in contact with the at least one lace to slide when the latter is pulled in the fastening direction, and which gets attached onto the at least one lace and locks it in position when the latter undergoes a tension in a direction opposite to the fastening direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to all forms of footwear and orthotics, as well as any other products benefiting from increased flexibility, better resistance to shock and shear forces, and stable support. More specifically, the invention incorporates a unitary integral component with at least one internal (or mostly internal) sipe, including slits or channels or grooves and any other shape, including geometrically regular or non-regular, such as anthropomorphic shapes, into a large variety of products using materials known in the art or their current or future equivalent. Still more specifically, the internal sipe component provides improved flexibility to products utilizing them, as well as improved cushioning to absorb shock and/or shear forces, while also improving stability of support, and therefore the siped devices can be used in any existing product that provides or utilizes flexibility, cushioning, or stability.

Abstract: A shoe sole comprising a foot engaging plate for accommodating a foot of a user and a ground engaging surface/plate. The foot engaging plate is sufficiently rigid so as to resist distortion of the foot engaging plate, during use of the shoe sole, so that the foot remains supported by the foot engaging plate during use of the shoe sole. A pivot member is located between the foot engaging plate and the ground engaging surface/plate to facilitate relative pivoting motion between the foot engaging plate and the ground engaging surface/plate. A layer of resilient material is sandwiched between the foot engaging plate and the ground engaging surface/plate. The resilient material may have one or more bores formed therein which accommodate a compressible material therein to facilitate programming of a desired compression characteristic for the shoe sole.

Abstract: A heel of a shoe is protected by a protective cover having a tapered sleeve with a wide top end, a narrow bottom end, and an opening in the wide top end for inserting a heel of a shoe, the sleeve formed of a stretchable, protective material. The protective cover includes an attachment tongue extending upward from the top end of the sleeve and attachment tabs extending upward from the top end of the sleeve. The heel of a shoe is inserted into the wide top end of the sleeve, with the attachment tongue and attachment tabs folded over the side and into the interior of the shoe so that a foot inserted into the shoe holds the attachment tongue and attachment tabs in place by frictional engagement between the foot and the interior of the shoe.

Abstract: A sandal assembly includes a base that has top side, a bottom side, a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, a front edge and a rear edge. A foot strapping system to releasably secure a foot to the base includes a first tether that has a free first end and a free second end. Each of the first and second ends is removably extended into the top side of the base. The top side of the base includes a plurality of wells extending therein. Each of the wells receives one of the first and second ends. A first well of the plurality of wells is positioned adjacent to the first lateral edge and a second well of the plurality of wells is positioned adjacent to the second lateral edge.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting a shoe into a high heeled type of shoe or a medium high heeled type of shoe or a low heeled type of shoe or a type of shoe that does not include an additional heel to extend the thickness of the sole includes a heel that is detachably-attachable with respect to the pair of shoes. A bayonet mount is used to secure a detachable heel to each of the pair of shoes. A mechanical latch that includes a release member prevents accidental release and loosening of the heel. Additional pair of heels that include the bayonet mount are used when a different height, color, or appearance is desired. If desired, the shoes can be used without heels.

Abstract: A pill assembly configured to receive the correct selection of medications in the correct dosages for a particular patient. The pill assembly comprises containers wherein at least one of the containers is configured to receive a plurality of different pills. The containers are adjacent to one another. The pill assembly also comprises a plurality of lids. Each of the lids is configured to seal a corresponding container. The containers have a top surface with a flange that is configured to receive the corresponding lid. Each lid has a surface that is configured to receive a printable indicia with patient specific information. The pill assembly may also comprise a sleeve that is configured to slidably interface with the containers.

Abstract: The present invention is an anatomical toepiece that is adapted for insertion into the footbed of a footwear article to provide increased comfort and control. The toepiece has a molded core comprising an anchoring flange for embedded attachment within the footbed of the footwear article. Additionally, the molded core further has an inter-toe engagement portion which extends upwardly from the anchoring flange for engagement between the great toe and the adjacent digit, and a wing which caps the inter-toe engagement portion and extends outwardly in both directions over a portion of the upper forefoot. The inter-toe engagement portion has arcuate curved sidewalls and an arcuate curved back wall to contour to the curvature of an engage foot thereby providing comfort and dexterity.

Abstract: This invention relates to a shoe sole that solves the problems on weight saving in shoes, prevention of distortion, improvement in the fitting property and prevention of upthrust simultaneously. The reinforcing member 3 for reinforcing a part of the midsole 2 is arranged so that the top surface 36 of the second arch 3c and the bottom surface 29 of the first arch 2c are opposite to each other. At least a part of the bottom surface 29 of the first arch is not in contact with a part of the top surface 36 of the second arch in vertically spaced relationship to each other, thereby that the non-contact areas of the first arch 2c and the second arch 3c can be deformed independently from each other when impact load of landing is applied.

Abstract: A shoe with a removable and interchangeable heel includes a first fixed heel disposed on a heel bottom portion of the shoe. The fixed heel includes a first fastener disposed therein. A second removable and interchangeable heel has a cooperating second fastener disposed therein that is engageable with the first fastener to secure the removable heel to the fixed heel, thereby increasing the effective height of the heel of the shoe.

Abstract: Attaching a three-dimensional ornamental article to a shoe upper is achieved using a stiff elongated strip that is bent to form an arcuate upper portion and a J-shaped lower portion. The upper portion is fitted to follow the contours of the top and sides of the ornamental article, while the lower portions are inserted through spaced openings formed in the shoe upper. The bottom ends of the lower portions face each other when they are positioned between the insole and outsole of the shoe. Once the outsole is secured with the insole, the ornamental article becomes securely attached to the shoe.