Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes a cinching apparatus that is configured to move the upper between an open position and a closed position. The cinching apparatus includes a spring pad with a first, second, and third portion. The third portion is elastic and configured to deform elastically from a first position toward a second position. The third portion is configured to move the first portion relative to the second portion generally in the longitudinal direction as the third portion deforms between the first position and the second position. Also, the cinching apparatus is configured to move the upper from the open position toward the closed position as the third portion of the spring pad moves from the first position toward the second position.

Abstract: A sole assembly for an article of footwear comprises a sole plate with a foot-facing surface with a recess disposed in the foot-facing surface. An insert plate is disposed in the recess. A length of the insert plate between anterior and posterior ends of the insert plate is less than a length of the recess. The insert plate flexes free of compressive loading by the sole plate when a forefoot portion of the sole assembly is dorsiflexed in a first portion of a flexion range, and operatively engages with the sole plate when the forefoot portion is dorsiflexed in a second portion of the flexion range that includes flex angles greater than in the first portion of the flexion range. The sole assembly is dorsiflexed, for example, when the forefoot portion is flexed in accordance with toes bending toward the top of the foot.

Abstract: A knitting machine capable of changing a pile length includes a low-pile sinker and a high-pile sinker, a low-pile selector jack arranged on the rear end side of the low-pile sinker, a high-pile selector jack arranged on the rear end side of the high-pile sinker, an actuator operable to, when a pile yarn and a ground yarn are drawn in by a knitting needle, selectively perform the first control in which the actuator acts on the low-pile selector jack, the second control in which the actuator acts on the high-pile selector jack, and the third control in which the actuator does not act on any of the low-pile and high-pile selector jacks, and a cam operable to push out the selector jack subjected to the action of the actuator and the sinker which is in contact with the selector jack to an area between the knitting needles.

Abstract: In described embodiments, the invention provides a foot pad having a generally planar substrate having a medial side and a lateral side and an upper surface extending between the medial side and the lateral side. A first toe loop extends upwardly from the medial side. The first toe loop has a first size. A second toe loop extends upwardly from the lateral side. The second toe loop has a second size, smaller than the first size. A third toe loop extends upwardly between the first toe loop and the second toe loop. The third toe loop is smaller than the first toe loop.

Abstract: Lighted footwear has a light disposed at a top portion of an upper of the footwear. The light is disposed to shine downward, ahead of a toe of the footwear. In one embodiment, lighted wading boots have one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), emitting light of one or more frequencies, colors or intensities. The LED(s) are disposed in a waterproof light housing molded into a top portion of the upper of the wading boot. The LED(s) are disposed to shine downward, ahead of a toe of the boot. A waterproof battery compartment is molded into the top portion of the upper of the wading boot. A battery therein is operatively coupled to power the LED(s). A switch is disposed in a waterproof switch housing molded into a top portion of the upper of the wading boot to operatively coupled the battery and the LED(s) to control LED operation.

Abstract: A device (1) for feeding thread to the needles (N) of a knitting machine, the device comprising a body (2) destined to be associated to a needle-bearing organ of the knitting machine, and provided with at least a housing seating (3) configured such as to movably house the thread guide means (4) in the body. The device is provided with thread guide means (4), movably housed in the housing seating (3) and comprising a first lever (5), a thread guide (6) and a second lever (10). The first lever is rotatably mounted to the body (2) such as to be able to rotate about a first rotation axis (X); the thread guide is rotatably mounted to the first lever (5) so as to be able to rotate, with respect to the first lever, about a second rotation axis (Y).

Abstract: A sport goggle strap for affixing sport goggles to the face of a user with first and second end portions, each having a connection member for attaching the first and second end portions to opposite sides of sports goggles, and an intermediate portion between the first and second end portions having an elongated opening disposed substantially in line between the first and second end portions. The first end portion, second end portions and the intermediate portion are comprised of a unitary piece of an elastomeric material, and preferably neoprene.

Abstract: An insole which generates an air flow during use, which assists in cooling or warming the foot of a user is disclosed. In a first embodiment, air flow facilitated by said insole provides for convective heat transfer away from the plantar surface of the foot. The insole is intended for insertion into a shoe which is ventilated, preferably an athletic shoe with a ventilated upper. The bottom layer defines a plurality of ridges and channel lining portions which together define a plurality of air channels. The bottom layer defines a heel recess in which a heel pad is situated. In a second embodiment, an insole which collects, retains, and heats a user's foot is disclosed. Said insole further comprises a middle layer of thermal reflective material secured to and coextensive with a top layer and a bottom layer secured to said middle layer.

Abstract: Provided are half corsets and methods of using them. The half corsets provide improved comfort and a quicker way of fastening and unfastening them. The half corsets have a body garment with four sides, two lateral garments, a flap that connects two of the sides with each other via a couple of fastener patches, and at least two support strips. The half corsets are designed to be worn around an individual's abdomen, pelvic region, and upper thighs.

Abstract: A shoelace includes a cord having two ends, two aglets, one at each end of the cord, and two or more magnets integrated within the shoelace.

Abstract: [Technical Problem] To provide a footwear sheet and a footwear that can increase the efficiency at which a user trains to be able to assume an ideal posture.

Abstract: An airbag (20) for protecting the head of a user in case of an accident is hereby presented. The airbag comprises an inflatable inner bag (21, 40, 50, 60) surrounded by an outer bag (22), wherein the structure of the outer bag (22) defines the shape of the airbag (20) when the inner bag (21) is inflated, and wherein said inner bag (21, 40, 50, 60) comprises a plurality of elongate first chambers (28, 29, 210, 211, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 65, 66, 69, 610, 611, 612, 613, 614), each of which elongate first chambers forms a head protective part when inflated.

Abstract: An article of footwear including a sole component including a baseplate having a bottom surface and at least a first ground engaging member extending substantially downward from the bottom surface of the baseplate, and a first elongate support member extending substantially downward from the bottom surface of the baseplate, abutting the first ground engaging member at a side portion, and extending horizontally from the side portion of the first ground engaging member. The ground engaging member may include a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion extending downward from the bottom surface of the baseplate, the lower portion being made of a different material than the upper portion. The distance that the elongate support member extends downward from the bottom surface of the baseplate is less than the distance that the ground engaging member extends downward from the bottom surface of the baseplate.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an article of footwear. The article of footwear having an upper for receiving a foot and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure may include at least one support member. In addition, the sole structure may include a tensile member associated with the at least one support member and a tensioning device configured to selectively alter one or more properties of the at least one support member, by tightening and loosening the tensile member.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an article of footwear including an upper configured to receive a foot and a sole component fixedly attached to a bottom portion of the upper. The sole component may include a baseplate having a bottom surface and at least a first ground engaging member extending substantially downward from the bottom surface of the baseplate and a first elongate support member extending substantially downward from the bottom surface of the baseplate, abutting the first ground engaging member at a side portion, and extending horizontally from the side portion of the first ground engaging member. The first support member may extend horizontally away from the first ground engaging member in a direction toward a region of the sole component adjacent to a gap in the sole component.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper coupled to the sole structure. The upper includes a lower edge that is disposed adjacent to the sole structure. The upper further includes a collar defining an opening to a void within the upper. The collar defines an upper edge of the upper that is spaced away from the lower edge. The upper includes a forward portion and a heel portion. The heel portion includes a knitted component of unitary knit construction. The knitted component at least partially defines the upper edge and the lower edge of the upper. The knitted component includes a first side edge that is attached to the forward portion along a first side. The knitted component also includes a second side edge that is attached to the forward portion along a second side.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper has a knitted component formed of unitary knit construction that includes at least one gore region located in a heel region of the article of footwear. The gore region provides a contoured configuration to the knitted component. In a method of manufacturing, a knitted component may include a first gore region and a plurality of second gore regions, with the first gore region being located in a heel area of the article of footwear and the second gore regions being located adjacent to the sole structure.

Abstract: An athletic shoe includes an upper section, an athletic specific bottom section, and an athletic positioning sole. The athletic positioning sole has a geometric shape that, when the athletic shoe is worn on a foot of an athletic and the athlete is standing, positions a heel of the foot above the toes of the foot and positions an outer edge of the foot above an inner edge of the foot.

Abstract: A traction element arrangement for a sole structure of an article of footwear is described. Traction elements of a first group are associated with a lateral side of the sole structure. Traction elements of a second group are associated with a medial side of the sole structure. Traction elements of the second group include multiple medial rotational traction elements that each have a plurality of individual traction elements arranged in a circular grouping. Each circular grouping is a different size to provide more or less rotational movement to the associated portion of the sole structure. In one embodiment, the shape of the traction elements corresponds to the shape of the circular grouping.

Abstract: A high heeled shoe and shoe sole insert are provided that are configured to provide relief from the forces on the foot created by walking in high heels. The shoe comprises a layered sole having an outsole, a midsole, and an insole. The midsole of the shoe comprises a cutout that is positioned over the metatarsal pressure point of the user's foot when positioned within the shoe. The cutout is filled with a shock absorbing material, such as Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, and includes a layer of paperboard for further cushioning. The shoe sole insert similarly includes a metatarsal padded region and a medial longitudinal arch pad to provide a layer of cushioning above the midsole of a user's footwear. The present invention provides relief while wearing high heels by cushioning the user's foot in high pressure zones, thereby relieving the pressure and reducing injuries or soreness.