Abstract: A toe protector for orthopedic foot fixtures comprising a semi-rigid arcuate enclosure that is positioned over a patient's exposed toes extending from within a fabric foot fixture. The toe protector overlies the exposed toes and is secured in place by engagement with portions of the foot fixture.

Abstract: A retention and release mechanism and ski boot for mitigating injury to a skier when the rearward loads, potentially injurious to the user, are imparted to the boot. The mechanism includes a first linkage arm, a latch, and a second linkage arm. The latch is connected to a first end of the first linkage arm, and is configured for direct or indirect pivotal connection to a first portion of the boot (e.g., an upper portion), which is pivotally connected to a second portion of the boot (e.g., a lower portion). The second linkage arm is pivotally connected to a second end of the first linkage arm at a pivot point, and is configured for pivotal connection to the second portion of the boot.

Abstract: A boot that includes an external upper and an internal lining, wherein the inner lining includes a multilayered fabric having two parallel textile surfaces connected together via a layer of threads, extending substantially perpendicularly to the plane constituted by each of the two surfaces, and defining a compressible space between the two parallel surfaces, wherein it extends from the base to the upper end of the external upper, and wherein it is only connected to the external upper via a top peripheral stitch.

Abstract: A replaceable spike system consisting of the sole and the heel for convenient insertion and replacement of a spike thereof. The spike assembly includes a “ball and spring” mechanism for the purpose of said spike assembly from falling out of the receiver member. The receiver member can be a mounted part of the sole of the sole or heel of the shoe consists of 2 spherical radii on the internal wall wherein the ball seats in a extended position. The release tool is manually inserted for disengaging the spike assembly from the receiver member.

Abstract: Crampon and snowshoe combinations are disclosed, wherein the crampon or terrain-engaging cleat can be a traditional ice crampon used on a rigid and essentially unbending boot, or a soft boot cleat which engages only the front portion of the boot, forward of the heel, permitting boot flexing. The snowshoe has in a toe or ball area a registry plate configured to engage with the crampon, preferably between depending teeth or other structure of the crampon, and preferably with a self-centering feature as the crampon is lowered down onto the registry plate. Once the cleat or crampon is fully engaged down against the plate, it is substantially locked in position against relative shifting or rotation, and lifting of the boot off the back of the crampon is restricted by clips or straps, preferably flexible straps extending up from the registry plate and securable to brackets or hooks on the crampon device. Specific configurations of cleats or crampons are also disclosed, for use with or without snowshoes.

Abstract: A sandal construction, including a sole and a strapping system for retaining the sole of a foot. The strap system includes ankle and heel straps pivotally attached directly to inner and outer support members for ease of wear and comfort. Rivet pins pass through the exterior layers of the support members and through the ends of the ankle and heel straps and are secured by rivet heads. The ankle and heel straps may be adjusted to accommodate an individual foot, such as heel position and instep height.

Abstract: A spiked athletic shoe includes a shoe upper and an outsole housing connected to the shoe upper. The outsole housing includes a bottom having a plurality of spike openings. Spaced-apart rear and front spike plates are positioned within the outsole housing and include a plurality of spikes attached for movement between a spike-extended position through the spike openings and a spike-retracted position. Springs engage the rear and front spike plates for normally urging the rear and front spike plates and attached spikes upwardly into the spike-retracted position. A mechanically-actuated slide overlies the rear and front spike plates for controlling movement of the spike plates between the spike-retracted position and the spike-extended position.

Abstract: A relaxation insole having, in combination: a supination-providing heel cup; a heel-bone support; a support beneath the first two metatarsals; and a support beneath the last three metatarsal heads.

Abstract: A shoe sole for supporting a wearer's foot. The sole has a main sole portion and at least one cushion associated with the main sole portion. The cushion includes first and second hollow tubular portions, preferably with resilient load-bearing first and second hollow walls that have a thickness, material, and shape providing sufficient strength for supporting and cushioning the sides of a corresponding foot region of a wearer's foot. The first wall is disposed on first side of a sole region of the sole, and the second wall is disposed on a second side of the sole region opposite from the first side. At least one of the first and second hollow walls extends along a third side of the sole region. A central portion of the cushion is disposed between and joined with the first and second tubular portions, and preferably has a thickness, material, and shape providing sufficient strength for supporting and cushioning a generally central part of the foot region between the first, second, and third sides.

Abstract: A spike structure consists of a spike body made of a plastic material, and a self-tapping screw 3 made of a metal. The spike body 2 is comprised of a flange-shaped portion 4 and a threaded stud which has a thread on the outer surface thereof and extends from one surface of said flange-shaped portion 4. An axial bore is formed through the flange-shaped portion 4 and the threaded stud 5, while slits are formed in said threaded stud 5, extending to the free end of said threaded stud. A self-tapping screw 3 is inserted with tapping into the axial bore to be fixed to said spike body. Said self-tapping screw 3 is configurated to stretch said threaded stud radially outwardly when inserted into the axial bore of spike body.

Abstract: A grind shoe apparatus incorporating a variable friction grind plate complementally received in the recess of the shoe sole and having a downwardly facing trough and an outwardly facing rail with respective slide surfaces for contacting a support surface to slide therealong. Such plate further includes at least one speed control compartment positioned within one of such slide surfaces and having an insert removably carried therein for varying the frictional resistance occurring during sliding maneuvers.

Abstract: The arrangement for shoe wear is for removable attachment of the shoe wear about the user's foot so that the fastening may be achieved by tightening two parts (6, 7) that are separated by a cavity (3) and locked in a tight position. According to the invention, at least one transverse locking part (11) is attached across the cavity. The transverse locking part is attached to the separated parts (6, 7) on each side of the cavity. The transverse locking part is, at least on one side of the cavity, shiftably attached and is movable along the cavity so that the fastening of the shoe wear may occur when the locking part is moved so that the parts are pulled towards one another. The locking part is lockable in different setting positions along the tracks.

Abstract: A sandal having compartments therein for storing relatively small items within the shoes of the user. The sandal having compartments therein includes a bottom sole portion and a top sole portion which are securely attached together. A strap means releasably secures a foot to the top sole portion and is securely coupled to a top surface of the bottom sole portion. Each of a plurality of compartments includes a well extending into a side of the top sole portion and a container. The container has a cavity therein. The container has a front wall, a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a pair of side walls. The front wall has an elongate slit therein for access to the cavity. The container is positioned within the well such that the front wall faces outwardly of the well. A plurality of compartments are disposed within the top sole portion.

Abstract: A wedge-soled bowling shoe has selectable percentages of regions of different coefficients of friction of traction characteristics and different coefficients of friction of slide characteristics on a shoe sole surface. The shoe gives the bowler precise control over relative amounts of slide and/or traction action of each shoe. The bowler can readily change the relative amounts of slide and/or traction action of each shoe by changing a replaceable sole member of the desired percentages of regions of high or low traction and high or low slide to accommodate differing conditions and differing styles of bowling. Using one of a plurality of pairs of replaceable sole members, a first member of each pair is constructed of two materials, each of a different coefficient of friction to provide slide characteristics and a second member of each pair is constructed of two materials, each of a different coefficient of friction to provide traction characteristics.

Abstract: A cleat for athletic shoes which provides a sole attachment member; a hub having a planar upper portion for contacting the shoe sole, a rounded lower portion for bearing weight of the user, and an edge; and resilient traction elements. The resilient elements are made up of an outward band extending from the periphery of the upper portion of the hub, an inner band extending from the periphery of the lower portion of the hub, a bottom band, a top band, and a space bordered by the outer band, the inner band, the bottom band and the top band. When the user is walking on soft surfaces, the traction elements provide traction and the lower portion of the hub does not bear weight. When the user is walking on hard surfaces, the resilient traction elements bend outwardly allowing the hub to contact the walking surface and bear weight. This allows for longer life of the traction elements as well as uniform contact.

Abstract: A heat moldable boot liner has an upper portion extending upwardly from a foot portion, which has a pair of flaps extending along the foot portion, the flaps being adjustable to bring one of the flaps into overlapping relationship relative to the other of the flaps over the wearer's foot. A tongue extends upwardly from the other one of the flaps within the upper portion of the liner, which has another pair of flaps intended to be overlapped over the tongue at the lower portion of the wearer's leg. The foot portion includes a heel portion shaped to fit snugly the user's heel. The present liner can be heat-molded in a single-stage molding operation.

Abstract: A structural interface for a sports shoe is described. An implementation of the structural interface includes a lateral beam member and a medial beam member connected together by a bridge member. The lateral and medial beam members may each include at least one mounting location for connection means and/or attachment devices. The connection means or attachment devices mate with sports apparatus, for example, snowboard bindings or bike pedals.

Abstract: A pedicure sandal (10) fabricated from a spongy foot form includes a base portion (12) having an outer perimeter shaped to accommodate a human foot and an integrally connected toe separating portion (18) selectively attached (20) to the base portion to form a plurality of toe-receiving loops (18a-e) for engaging and separating the wearers toes.

Abstract: At a skate boot a headpiece is foreseen at the cap area of the boot which headpiece protects the foot of an ice-hockey player, specifically the goaltender against impacts and blows stemming from the puck. This headpiece prevents, furthermore, a lateral sliding off of a leg pad.

Abstract: An improved boot for snowboarding. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a generally resilient upper boot portion mounted to a generally rigid lower boot portion. The lower boot portion extends substantially upwardly from the sole, over the foot, and ends proximate to the tarsal bone of the lower ankle. A calf support member is mounted at the heel of the boot and relatively perpendicular thereto. A lip extends from the toe and heel of the boot lower portion. Upon cooperation of the lip with plate bindings on a snowboard, the boot is releasably secured thereto.