Abstract: Example shoe manufacturing methods and related computer readable medium for implementing a portion of said manufacturing methods are disclosed herein. In some examples, the method includes placing an upper member about an upper portion of a last, wherein the last is a form for the shoe. In addition, the method includes producing a lasting based on data relating to a foot of a user, and attaching the lasting to the upper member, wherein the lasting extends over a lower portion of the last. Further, the method includes molding a sole onto the lasting and the upper member, and removing the last from the upper member.

Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.

Abstract: A first footwear comprises a first strap and a first fastener. The first strap comprises a first connector affixing the first strap to a foot side of the first footwear; and a first fastener disposed to the first strap. The second fastener is affixed to the first footwear. The first footwear and a second footwear are configured such that: the first footwear and the second footwear can fold together with the first footwear on the outside; and the first strap is repositionable to connect the first fastener to the second fastener.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure that defines a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region. The sole structure comprises densified wood and includes an upper midsole cushioning member, a lower midsole cushioning member, an outsole coupled with a bottom surface of the lower midsole cushioning member, and a plate positioned between the upper midsole cushioning member and the lower midsole cushioning member.

Abstract: A strobel for an article of footwear includes a base layer and an upper layer formed of a polymer material covering a portion of the top surface of the base layer, leaving a portion of the top surface of the base layer exposed about an entire periphery of the base layer. The upper layer is directly bonded to the base layer without any fastening members. A method of forming the strobel is also disclosed.

Abstract: A footwear insole assembly includes individual electrodes situated within an insole configured to activate in response to applied pressure from a user's foot. The insole includes a upper surface wherein a plurality of pockets are formed in the upper surface. A plurality of pressure sensors are located in the insole and are configured to detect a compressive force on the insole. A plurality of electrodes are located within at least one of the plurality of pockets and in communication with the plurality of pressure sensors. A power supply is configured to transmit power to the plurality of electrodes in response to detected pressure from the plurality of pressure sensors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing shoes having springs embedded therein, the method in which comfort and body weight distribution effect can be enhanced by means of the shock-absorbing force of resilient members being more effectively transmitted to the soles of a wearer.

Abstract: This disclosure represents a novel article of footwear that has a built-in toe drying system. The footwear is preferably in the form of a sandal having a sole and a strap attached to opposite sides of the sole and fastened to the top of the sole near forefoot region. More specifically, the footwear has a pair of micro fans releasably mounted in openings disposed in the strap. One micro fan is connected to a duct integrated in strap and the other micro fan is connected to a duct positioned along the side of the sole. The airflow generated by the micro fans are directed towards respective connected ducts such that the airflow is expelled through holes to dry moisture and water on foot of a wearer of the footwear. The sole has a plurality of ripples on top surface thereof and the ripples facilitate drainage of water.

Abstract: An article of footwear with an upper including a ribbon structure is disclosed. The ribbon structure comprises ribbon sections running in at least two different directions. Ribbon sections are connected at nodes. Between nodes portions of ribbon act like links joining the nodes. The links can be arranged in various geometries, including a rectangular grid and a triaxial grid. The ribbon structure may extend the entire length of the article of footwear, and may extend through a forefoot, midfoot and heel.

Abstract: An article of footwear can include a midsole with a lower surface having a first recessed portion and an outsole coupled to the lower surface of the midsole, with the outsole having an upper surface with a second recessed portion. A first bladder element and a second bladder element can be provided in a stacked arrangement between the midsole and outsole, with an upper portion of the first bladder element that contacts the lower surface of the midsole and extends at least partially into the first recessed portion and a lower portion of the second bladder element that contacts the upper surface of the outsole and extends at least partially into the second recessed portion.

Abstract: A track and field shoe can include an upper, a sole structure, and a toe plate. The upper includes a medial side portion, a lateral side portion, and a toe box portion. The sole structure is attached to the upper and includes a spike plate. The spike plate has an anterior portion, a posterior portion, and a plurality of spikes. The spikes are configured for penetrating a track surface. The toe plate is attached to an anterior portion of the toe box portion of the upper. One or more portions of the toe plate are exposed from an exterior surface of the upper. The spikes are spaced apart from the toe plate such that the spikes disengage the track surface when the toe plate contacts the track surface.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear. The sole structure includes at least one support plate located on an underside of a midsole on a medial forefoot side of the midsole and extending from a medial edge of the midsole to at least a longitudinal center line of the midsole, wherein a lateral edge of the plate is located medially of the lateral edge of the midsole. The support plate may contain at least one sipe or groove extending laterally across the midsole to provide flexibility in a forefoot-to-heel direction of the midsole. The support plate may contain at least one rail.

Abstract: Described are shoes for ball sports including an upper having an outer surface. An actuator is configured to change at least one surface property of a portion of the outer surface of the upper, and a sensor is configured to be sensitive to movements of the shoe. A processing unit is connected to the actuator and the sensor and configured to process sensor data retrieved from the sensor and to cause the actuator to change the at least one surface property of the portion of the outer surface of the upper if a predetermined event is detected in the sensor data.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a foam element having a top surface and a bottom surface. The foam element includes a recess (i) formed in one of the top surface or the bottom surface, (ii) extending from a first end in a forefoot region of the sole structure to a second end in a mid-foot region of the sole structure, (iii) having a first edge extending between the first end and the second end and disposed proximate to a peripheral region of the sole structure, and (iv) a second edge extending between the first end and the second end and disposed at an interior region of the sole structure. A cushioning arrangement is disposed within the recess and includes an outer surface that is substantially flush with the one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the foam element.

Abstract: A footwear sole obtained by molding a single polymeric material, the footwear sole includes a lower surface to contact the ground, and an upper surface to support an insole and, on the upper surface, at least one elastically deformable cushioning element. The cushioning element includes an elongated element cantileverly protruding from the upper surface, and a plurality of tabs extending from the upper surface that are arranged around the elongated element, thereby defining a dome. In an undeformed configuration of the cushioning element the tabs are upright, and there is a gap between the tabs and the elongated element, and in a deformed configuration of the cushioning element the tabs are each bent towards the elongated element and in abutment against it. The switching from the undeformed to the deformed causes the area of the bearing surface provided to the insole by each cushioning element to gradually increase.

Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a heel section, a mid-foot section, and a toe section. The heel section, the mid-foot section, and the toe section collectively have a geometric shape having a first slope of a polarity along an inner edge of the apparatus from the toe section to the heel section and a second slope of the polarity along the inner edge of the apparatus to an outer edge of the apparatus at the toe section.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure with a sole member. The sole member can be manufactured using a system that modifies the forefoot cushioning of the sole member over a series of footwear purchases. The modifications can be configured to correspond to a customer's evaluation of the forefoot cushioning previously purchased. The sole member can include a set of apertures or incisions that are formed along various surfaces of the sole member to adjust the cushioning characteristics of the sole member.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a midsole having a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and a peripheral surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. The bottom surface includes a recess defining a first opening in the peripheral surface. The sole structure for an article of footwear also includes an insert disposed within the recess and including a first material having a first gloss unit value and a second material disposed on an outer surface of the first material and having a second gloss unit value. The second material is at least partially disposed within the first opening.

Abstract: A shoe including a pliable layer conformably peelably adhered in generally matched engagement with the outsole periphery of the ground engageable surface of the outsole of the shoe.