Abstract: A weighted insole assembly, comprising a top thermoformable material layer, a bottom thermoformable material layer, and a weighted unit encapsulated between the top and bottom thermoformable material layers, the weighted unit including a heavy filler material and having a specific gravity between about 2.0 and about 4.0.

Abstract: Graphical element laminate for use in forming a skate boot including: a base layer having inner and outer sides; a first thermoplastic layer laminated on the base layer outer side, the first thermoplastic layer having inner and outer sides; a graphical element printed on the inner side of the first thermoplastic layer, at least a portion of the first thermoplastic layer overlying the graphical element being transparent or translucent such that when the laminate forms part of the skate boot, the graphical element is visible through the first thermoplastic layer from an exterior of the skate boot. Optionally, the base layer includes a design element also visible from the exterior of the skate boot. Optionally, a second thermoplastic layer is interposed between the first thermoplastic layer and the base layer. In such cases, the graphical element may be, or may also be, printed on the second thermoplastic layer.

Abstract: A footwear article includes an upper assembly attached to a sole. The upper assembly includes an enclosure defining a foot receiving void and a flex feature disposed on a medial portion of the upper assembly. The flex feature connects a medial forefoot portion of the enclosure to a medial heel portion of the enclosure, thus allowing the medial forefoot and medial heel portions of the enclosure to move relative to each other. The sole assembly includes a midsole disposed on an outsole. The midsole defines voids of different depths. The voids are arranged to provide relatively greater cushioning and bendability within at least one of a metatarsus portion and a calcaneus portion of the midsole.

Abstract: A method for producing a shoe that can be adapted to the foot of a wearer, is made of hard, thermoplastic synthetic material and is worn for sports, includes heating a prefabricated shoe at least in sections and adapting the shoe by applying pressure from the outside and by shaping the heated area. The shoe is then cooled, a correction strip, which is made of a hard material and is taken from the foot, is introduced in to the prefabricated shoe and the heated shoe is pressed onto the correction strip by applying pressure. A strip correction and a shoe are also provided.

Abstract: A modular sole assembly system for footwear and components thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shock absorbing device for a shoe sole in a rear foot part which can restrain the inclination of the foot toward the medial side while absorbing the shock of landing on the lateral side of the foot. A shock absorbing device for a shoe sole in a rear foot part according to the present invention, includes: a support element M; deformation elements 3 disposed below the support element, the deformation elements deforming to be compressed vertically at landing; and outer sole elements 2 contacting a ground at landing, each outer sole element being joined to a bottom surface of the respective deformation element. Both the deformation elements 3 and the outer sole elements 2 are substantially separated in a medial-lateral direction in the rear foot part to be arranged at least three regions of the rear foot part. A quotient obtained by dividing an area of a bottom surface of the support element M by an area of bottom surfaces of the outer sole elements 2 is set at about 1.

Abstract: A differential-stiffness impact-attenuation member includes at least one spring element. The spring element has dimensions in height, length and width directions. The height dimension extends from a top surface to a bottom surface. The length dimension extends from a front end to a back end. At least one of the top and bottom surfaces is adapted for mounting. The impact-attenuation member has a first stiffness characteristic in the height direction at the front end of the spring element and a second stiffness characteristic in the height direction at the back end of the spring element. The spring element may define a cavity. A tension element may engage the spring element and be located at least partially within the cavity. The impact-attenuation member may engage at least one of a foot-covering member, a foot-supporting member and a surface-contacting member associated with a foot-receiving device.

Abstract: A footwear device for releaseably receiving footwear that has an upper surface, a sole, and a heel. The footwear device includes a sole having an upper surface and a ground-engaging surface, a forefoot support member extending from the sole to form a first loop, a heel support member extending from at least one of the sole and the forefoot support member to form a second loop. When footwear is inserted into the footwear device, the forefoot support member overlaps at least a portion of the upper surface of the footwear, the heel support member overlaps at least a portion of the heel of the footwear, and the sole of the footwear device substantially covers the sole of the footwear to protect the same.

Abstract: In order to provide an athletic shoe that does not get caught even when a strong effort to hold on is made when sliding sideways, and that allows for light footwork, the present invention provides an athletic shoe that has an undersurface of a midsole 22 that is formed with a raised portion 24, along a circumferential side edge thereof affixed with an outersole 30 that forms an outsole, and an extending portion 32 that extends up to a circumferential side surface of the midsole is formed at a perimeter edge of the outersole, wherein: at a portion along a little toe of the circumferential side surface 22a of the midsole, a bulged portion 29 having a thickness equal to or more than a thickness substantially corresponding to a thickness of the raised portion 24 of the midsole in a shoe width direction is integrally formed so as to protrude outward, and the extending portion 32 is formed extending from the perimeter edge of the outersole 30 toward a protruding surface of the bulged portion 29 and the extending po

Abstract: A unique system has a releasably locking device for quickly and easily locking and releasing a loop-section fastener on and from a loop without the needs for taking the loop apart respectively.

Abstract: Articles of footwear having an enclosed articulated toe portion, including a molded midsole with an integrally-molded toe cap shaped to receive a foot therein and to enclose the toes of the foot. The toe cap terminates at a position adjacent to the base of the toes of the foot. The articles additionally include an outsole affixed to the bottom of the midsole and an upper which in some embodiments is co-molded with the midsole and toe cap.

Abstract: An article of footwear including an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper and including a support assembly having an upper member and a lower member spaced from the upper member. A first layer is positioned beneath and in contact with the upper member and has a wave shaped profile with a plurality of first wave crests and first wave troughs. A second layer is positioned above the lower member and has a wave shaped profile with a plurality of second wave crests and second wave troughs.

Abstract: An article of footwear with an interchangeable pod system is disclosed. The interchangeable pod system includes an outsole, a pod set, and a cleat set. The pods are attached to the outsole by means of the members of the cleat set. Variations in the types of pods and cleats used allow a wearer to reconfigure the article of footwear in order to maximize performance on a given surface in a given set of surface conditions as well as other parameters.

Abstract: An ornamental accessory for footwear in which the footwear is of the type having a series of lacing holes that are spaced apart along a lacing surface of the footwear and that are usually adapted for receipt of footwear laces. The ornamental accessory includes an accessory insert that is comprised of an open link and an integrally formed support post. The open link has a passage that is larger than the size of the lacing hole so as to accommodate a chain piece. The support post is constructed and arranged to interlock with the lacing hole.

Abstract: An image displaying device includes a background layer that is substantially opaque. The device also includes a display layer that is semi-transparent. The display layer includes an inner surface facing the background layer, and the inner surface is substantially smooth. The display layer further includes an outer surface facing away from the background layer, and the outer surface includes a plurality of raised areas and a plurality of recessed areas. The display layer has increased light transmissivity through the recessed areas and decreased light transmissivity through the raised areas such that a contrast of light transmissivity between the raised and recessed areas generates an image.

Abstract: The shoe tongue centralizer assembly includes a binding post and a centralizer band which, together prevent the tongue of any type of laced shoe, boot or other footwear from significant movement either laterally or longitudinally in the footwear.

Abstract: An article of footwear that includes a sole defining a bending feature (e.g., a groove) between a phalanges portion and a metatarsus portion of the sole. The bending feature allows the phalanges sole portion to articulate upward with respect to the metatarsus sole portion. An upper is attached to the sole and defines a foot void for receiving a human foot. The upper has a phalanges portion that defines at least one toe receiver volume. The at least one toe receiver volume defines a raised shape with respect to an adjacent metatarsus portion of the upper. Articulation of the phalanges sole portion and substantially unrestricted toe lift movement into the at least one toe receiver volume allows substantially unrestricted upward toe flexion of a received foot in the foot void.

Abstract: The present invention is a bifunctional, high-heeled dancer's shoe with the flexibility and strength to allow the dancer to go from standing on the heel to an on pointe position (standing on the toes). The shoe has the capacity to adjust, in order to provide the dancer the ability to combine dance moves from multiple dance styles with ballet. The shoe is composed of a hard front toe box, a half front shank attached to the front box that thins out in the middle of the foot, a partial metal shank that extends from the back of the shoe into the arch, a plastic high heel, a leather outer sole, and a closed satin and fabric body with an adjustable elastic thread on the top of the foot.

Abstract: At least one invention pertains to an article of footwear having a foot-receiving portion and a sole portion attached via at least one binding element. In one aspect, an article of footwear includes a foot-receiving portion configured to extend over a portion of a foot of a wearer, and the foot-receiving portion being configured to extend to medial and lateral side of the foot, and the foot-receiving portion including a binding element. A sole portion having a top surface for contacting the foot and a lower surface for a least a portion provided ground engagement. A plurality of apertures extending through the top surface and lower surface, the apertures are configured to receive the binding element therein to attach the foot-receiving portion to the sole portion.

Abstract: Impact-attenuation systems, e.g., for use in footwear, can help control foot positioning during a step cycle, e.g., to help reduce or eliminate misorientation of the foot, and the fatigue and/or strain that may result from such misorientation. Articles of footwear including such impact-attenuation systems may include: (a) an upper member; and (b) a sole structure engaged with the upper member. The sole structure may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion of the foot-supporting member, and (ii) a second, separate impact-attenuating member located at a rear, lateral heel portion. The second impact-attenuating member may be designed and/or configured to provide less resistance to an impact force as compared with the first impact-attenuating member.