Abstract: An article of footwear includes a woven region. A fit adjustment system includes a lace strap superimposed with strands of material forming the woven region. The lace strap is routed around the shoe and forms opposing pairs of lace holding elements such as lace loops. More specifically, the lace strap extends downwardly from a lace holding element on a first side of the upper, across and underneath the footbed, around the heel region, back across and underneath the footbed, and upwardly to form a lace holding element on the second side. By the routing of the lace strap, the lace strap is integrated with the heel and arch portions of the shoe. A shoe lace is routed through the lace holding elements and may be adjusted to affect the fit of the upper to a foot of a user.

Abstract: The invention is a replaceable golf shoe cleat or spike 10 for use in place of a standard metal spike 4. Winter golf shoe spike 10 preferably has a main cleat body 11 molded from a durable plastic type material in single unitary fashion. A threaded stud 13 is formed on the upper surface of generally concavo-convex flange 12 and protrudes axially therefrom. A plurality of traction ribs 15 are formed on the bottom traction surface of concavo-convex flange 12. While the ribs 15 may be present in a variety of configurations, they are preferably triangular ridges arranged in a radial fashion emanating from the center of concavo-convex flange 12.

Abstract: A construction for a shoe, particularly an athletic shoe, which includes a sole that conforms to the natural shape of the foot shoe, including the bottom and the sides, when that foot sole deforms naturally by flattening under load while walking or running in order to provide a stable support base for the foot and ankle. Deformation sipes such as slits or channels are introduced in horizontal plane of the shoe sole to provide it with flexibility roughly equivalent to that of the foot. The result is a shoe sole that accurately parallels the frontal plane deformation of the foot sole, which creates a stable base that is wide and flat even when tilted sideways in extreme pronation or supination motion. In marked contrast, conventional shoe soles are rigid and become highly unstable when tilted sideways because they are supported only by a thin bottom edge.

Abstract: A sports shoe, in particular a soccer boot, comprises a sole (1) which is made of plastic and has on its underside (2) at least one carrier surface (3 to 5) which is configured raised. In each of these surfaces there are embedded at least two threaded inserts (6) that serve for receiving traction elements (7 to 10) capable of being screwed in. The shoe is characterized in that the at least one carrier surface (3 to 5) has such a geometric shape and the threaded inserts (6) in the at least one carrier surface (3 to 5) are positioned such that several interchangeable sets of different traction elements (7 to 10) are able to be screwed into the threaded inserts (6).

Abstract: A midsole structure of an athletic shoe includes an upper midsole (3) formed of a soft elastic material and extending from a heel region to a forefoot region of the shoe, lower midsoles (4, 5) each formed of a soft elastic material and disposed at the heel region and the forefoot region under the upper midsole (3), and first and second corrugated sheets (6, 7) disposed opposite to each other between the upper midsole (3) and the lower midsoles (4, 5). Through holes (10, 11) are provided at the heel region and the midfoot region of the shoe. The through holes (10, 11) are bounded between the respective facing corrugated surfaces of the first and second corrugated sheets (6, 7). The through hole (11) provided at the midfoot region has an oblong and elongated shape in cross section.

Abstract: A method and system for ultrasonic sealing of food product packaging is provided. The ultrasonic sealing system preferably includes a food product packaging-positioning system that delivers food product packaging and food product into direct on-item-packaging forming box. The direct on-item-packaging forming box then receives the food product packaging and forms it directly around the supplied food product forming a partially packaged food product. The partially packaged food product is then ultrasonically edge sealed around the food product by an ultrasonic food product packaging fin-sealing unit forming a partially sealed food product packaging. The partially sealed food product packaging then enters a food product packaging end-sealing unit which ultrasonically seals and crimps the ends of the food product packaging resulting in a fully packaged and ultrasonically sealed food product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a footwear insole with an integral sock lining embedded therein; and to a method of making a sample comprising: preparing a board of a material selected from the group of porous and foamed cross-linked synthetic polymers; preheating the board to at least the softening point of said material; pressing the board and stamping into it a footprint shaped cavity while cooling by a stamping device having a stamping die and a stamping die bearing pressing plate; attaching a sock lining to said footprint shaped cavity; and suitably cutting the board. The sock lining may be fastened to the stamping die bearing pressing plate. Alternatively, said plate may carry an integral stamping die and the sock lining inserted after storing.

Abstract: A jumping assist system to be mounted in conjunction with each lower leg and foot of a human which will cause the imparting of additional energy during the jumping movement which will result in the individual being able to jump higher, especially in a succession of jumps, as well as having greater endurance in jumping. When the lower leg moves forwardly into the jump-ready position, a pulling force is applied from the lower leg to a tension brace which extends substantially parallel to the back of the leg to under the heel of the foot causing a forward rotational force at the ankle joint. This force will assist the individual in the jumping action. There is also a separate strap connection over the dorsum of the foot which extends along the bottom of the foot and under the heel, anchoring in the achilles area. This dorsum strap further assists in achieving an increased level of upward support and some rotational force that assists the individual in the jumping motion.

Abstract: For ensuring longer wear or utilization times without damage to the walking block, the sole portion (11) of the forefoot relieving shoe, more particularly for the postoperative treatment, with a different sole portion elasticity and with a sole portion (11) which is substantially triangular in a side view or in a vertical longitudinal cross-section and possessing a thickness which diminishes toward the rear and which terminates before the metatarsal region of the wearer, of a homogeneous foamed plastic (19), wherein a spring (20, 21) is embedded which can be tensioned against the pressure exerted by a foot on the shoe.

Abstract: An insulating sole cover including an upper portion that has a top panel with a flat portion and a heel portion with an arc portion therebetween. The top panel has an outer rim with a top side wall extending upward therefrom. Also included is a bottom portion that has a bottom panel that is rigid along a bottom surface. The bottom panel has a bottom rim with a bottom side wall that extends upward therefrom. The bottom side wall is capable of being sealed to the top rim of the top side wall to form an interior area therebetween. Included are a plurality of cells. The cells are formed within the bottom portion and are proportionately dispersed within the interior area of the top panel and the bottom panel. Each cell has a filler contained therein to provide insulation from cold. Lastly, a plurality of openings are positioned within within the spacing between each cell. The openings are capable of decreasing the compaction coefficient of the filler within the interior area.

Abstract: An improved athletic shoe sole with rotatable and replaceable rear soles and replaceable cleats to provide the user with longer wear. The invention also provides the user with the ability to quickly and easily adapt the sole to different desired performance characteristics depending upon the intended activity and terrain or playing surface.

Abstract: An insole and a method for relieving bottom-of-heel pain (ie. plantar heel pain) and/or arch pain associated with bottom-of-heel pain is described.

Abstract: A shoe sole construction includes an aperture provided through the shoe sole and a composite support plate covering over the aperture. The support plate in turn is covered over by a pad having a peripheral dimension larger than the support plate. The pad cushions the support plate so that its presence in the shoe sole is not detected by the shoe wearer's foot.

Abstract: A snowboarding boot having a flexible upper portion has one or more somewhat vertical elongate pockets on the surface of the upper portion to receive therein elongate, semi-rigid stiffening stays. Each pocket is formed of flexible material to define a medial channel having an open top and cross-sectional area similar to that of the stiffening stay to be carried therein to allow variable vertical positioning and positional maintenance of the stiffening stays by reason of frictional engagement with the pocket. Stiffening stays are formed of elongate strips of semi-rigid material, normally having some resiliency but being more rigid than the flexible upper portion of a boot, and the stiffening stays optionally carry a loop of flexible material in their upper end portions to aid insertion and removal and releasable fasteners for positional maintenance within a carrying pocket. The pockets extend downwardly from the top of a boot or to the ankle area in vertical or angulated orientation.

Abstract: A transit packaging having a reduced content includes a blank of a corrugated cardboard having flutes in a longitudinal direction. A first and second transverse score are made at opposite end regions of the blank defining side panels of the packaging. A plurality of longitudinally aligned pairs of notches are at opposite ends of the blank. A retainer releasably retains like containers onto the blank preventing relative sliding movement. A plurality of straps, each positioned in one of the aligned pairs of notches, wraps about the blank when the like containers are retained on the blank.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a shoe upper formed from a blank of material. The upper has a toe portion, a pair of side portions, a heel portion, and a bottom portion. The bottom portion of the upper is formed from the blank by folding the blank about a fold area in the heel portion such that the bottom portion can be connected to the bottom of the toe portion, the bottoms of the pair of side portions, and the bottom of the heel portion. The blank has a first section which includes the toe portion, side portions and heel portion. The blank also has opposite ends. The opposite ends of the blank are connected to one another to form the toe portion, side portions and heel portion of the upper. The shoe upper may also be formed from a blank having a second section which includes the bottom portion of the upper, and further may include one or more wing portions which overlie generally the side portions of the upper.

Abstract: Ski boot of the overlapping type, including a rigid shell base surmounted by an upper, the upper including in its front portion an upward extension of the shell base, and in its rear portion, a rigid rear spoiler journalled with respect to the shell base, and a tightening arrangement being distributed along the front surface of the boot, whereas the control arrangement for the position of advance are arranged between the shell base and the upper, wherein at least one element of the tightening arrangement is located in the zone of the flexion fold directly on the shell base, and whereas the top of the upper that tightens the lower part of the leg of the skier is provided with another tightening arrangement fixed at the front upper end of the rear spoiler encircling the front upper zone of the extension of the shell base.

Abstract: A shoe sole having a sole plate with a ground-engaging side having inflatable tube elements secured thereto. The shoe sole also includes upstanding lateral support walls that define a chamber or an installation space which is in communication with the tube elements by means of inflation openings. Also disposed in the installation space is a valve housing, a miniature pump, and connecting conduits connecting the pump to the inflation openings. The tube elements are provided along medial and lateral edges of the sole, and in the heel region. In addition, the tube elements are inflatable separately from each other so that it is possible to individually adjust the tread characteristics of a shoe provided with the shoe sole. The tube elements further include a longitudinal partition which divides the interior thereof into two air chambers which communicate with each other through at least one opening in the longitudinal partition.

Abstract: A transporting holding device for picture frames (4) or the like, preferably for installation in a transport crate (1), with several, preferably four, frame securing elements (3), further with two lengthwise adjustable guide devices (5) and two crosswise adjustable guide devices (6). The crosswise adjustable guide devices (6) are guided to be adjustable and able to be immobilized on the lengthwise adjustable guide devices (5), and the frame securing elements (3) are guided to be adjustable on the crosswise adjustable guide devices (6). A greater flexibility is created with such a transporting holding device because the frame securing elements (3) are embodied as a comer bracket for supporting a respective comer of the picture frame (4) and/or as a flat side bracket for supporting a respective part of the edge of the picture frame (4).

Abstract: A novel sport sandal construction capable of immediate tightening or loosening adjustment of all strap portions relative to the foot, with one quick adjustment. A control strap is anchored to a ring on one side of the sole at the ankle region, extends forwardly with a slip fit through a centrally located ring on the forefoot strap at the metatarsal region, then rearwardly to an anchor strap ring on a second anchor strap at the outside of the sole, and then through this ring with a slip fit to double back forwardly and overlap the rearwardly extending portion, where it is adjustably fastened with hook and loop fastener strips. A heel strap also extends between the two anchor strap rings. A simple length adjustment of this control strap simultaneously adjusts not only the length and position of both strap portions on both sides of the foot, but also adjusts the distance between the heel strap and the center of the forefoot strap.