Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear may be at least partially formed with a knitted component. The knitted component may include a sock portion and a tongue portion, the sock portion having a hollow structure and a toe area, the hollow structure (a) forming an ankle opening in a heel region of the footwear and (b) extending between the heel region and a forefoot region of the footwear to define a void within the footwear for receiving a foot. The tongue portion may have an elongate configuration (a) located in at least a portion of a length of a throat area of the upper and (b) including at least two knit layers that are coextensive.

Abstract: An item of footwear for increasing leg-muscle and/or lower-abdominal-/back-muscle tone comprising: a securing means for securing the item of footwear to a foot of a user; and a sole comprising at least an upper layer, for engaging a foot of a user in use or a further upper layer, and a lower layer, for engaging the ground in use, wherein the upper layer comprises two or more materials of different compressive resistances, or densities, arranged as a frontal/toe region, an arch region and a heel region, the sole is arranged such that application of a user's weight, during use, causes instability in at least one portion of the upper layer, which requires balance correction by a user.

Abstract: A position sensing assembly for a tensioning system designed to provide tension to a lace, cord, or other type of strand is disclosed. The tensioning system includes a reel member configured to rotate about a central axis and the position sensing assembly. The position sensing assembly includes a shaft, an indicator tab, and an optical sensing unit. The position sensing assembly assists in controlling the degree to which the strand is tightened and loosened. The position sensing assembly prevents tightening of the strand when the strand is meant to be loosened.

Abstract: A huarache sport sandal with a unique strap systems is described. The sandal strap includes a G-hook and G-Hook strap system to facilitate the comfortable adjustment of the sandal on a foot. Additional adjustments in the strap systems include a ladder buckle and a hook and loop adjustment system. The strap system is attached to a hard rubber sole to keep the sole comfortable connected to the foot during sports activities.

Abstract: Ground-engaging components for articles of footwear include: (a) an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an upper-facing surface and a ground-facing surface opposite the upper-facing surface, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an open space at least at a forefoot support area of the ground-engaging component, and wherein a rearmost extent of the outer perimeter boundary rim is located within one of: an arch support area or a forward heel support area of the ground-engaging component (and/or at these areas of an overall sole structure); and (b) a support structure extending from the outer perimeter boundary rim and into or at least partially across the open space.

Abstract: A ventilation sole for footwear, the sole including: a communicating vent-hole through which the inside and outside of footwear communicate with each other to allow air to flow; and a valve selectively opening and closing the communicating vent-hole, wherein the valve includes: a housing module configured to have opposite ends being open such that a channel is provided therein to communicate with the communicating vent-hole; an open-close module configured with a first closing surface and a first through-hole; and a rotation module configured with a second closing surface and a second through-hole, and rotating to move a position of the second through-hole. Accordingly, a wearer can easily open and close the valve by rotating the rotation module according to the intention of the wearer, whereby air inside and outside the footwear can be circulated selectively and optimal foot conditions can be improved.

Abstract: A shoe cover comprises a shoe cover upper and a shoe cover sole. A shoe cover opening is provided at the top of the shoe cover upper, and the shoe cover opening is provided with a first elastic ring. The shoe cover sole is connected with the bottom of the shoe cover upper. A second elastic ring is provided at where the shoe cover upper connects the shoe cover sole. The second elastic ring straps the shoe cover upper and the shoe cover sole onto either a foot or a shoe, prevents the shoe cover from falling off, and facilitates the shoe cover upper and the shoe cover sole in affixing onto the foot or shoe.

Abstract: A lacing system for an article of footwear includes a sole structure, an upper attached to the sole structure, the upper comprising a lateral side, a medial side, and an instep region, a housing disposed adjacent the instep region, wherein a first lace and a second lace extend through a plurality of eyelets along the upper and into the housing, a motor disposed within the housing, the motor comprising a motor shaft and a motor gear, and a gear train in communication with the motor gear. When the motor shaft rotates, the first lace and the second lace are drawn into the housing via a wheel gear that is in communication with the gear train.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, an outsole attached to the upper, and a midsole disposed between the upper and the outsole. The outsole includes a ground-engaging surface, an inner surface formed on an opposite side of the outsole than the ground-engaging surface, and a wall surrounding a perimeter of the outsole. The wall cooperates with the inner surface to define a cavity. The midsole includes a footbed and a bottom surface disposed on an opposite side of the midsole than the footbed and opposing the inner surface of the outsole. The article of footwear also includes fibers received within the cavity. The fibers cooperate with one another to form a mesh that at least partially fills the cavity. The article of footwear also includes particulate matter disposed within the cavity and received within interstitial spaces of the mesh.

Abstract: An article of footwear including cleat sets and/or cleat members can include provisions for maximizing traction between a chassis and multiple types of ground surfaces. In some embodiments, a chassis can include cleat sets and/or cleat members disposed in different locations to achieve maximum traction on multiple types of surfaces. In other embodiments, a chassis can include distinct types of cleat sets and/or cleat members that each maximize traction for a distinct type of surface. Each chassis includes a distinct type of cleat configuration. Different cleat configurations may be used to provide varying degrees of traction. In some embodiments, the chassis can include varying levels of flexibility, to provide user with options to customize the stiffness and support of the article of footwear.

Abstract: In embodiments, an adjustable orthotic foot device may include a shell layer including an upper surface and a contoured lower surface, and a soft insole layer coupled to the upper surface of the shell layer, the soft insole layer defining an arch support structure on an upper surface of the soft insole layer along a medial edge of the soft insole layer. The adjustable orthotic foot device may further include one or more structural support inserts configured to be removably inserted within a pocket formed between the shell layer and the soft insole layer in order to adjust an arch height of the arch support structure. In embodiments, the one or more structural support inserts may be defined by a curved lateral edge and a convex curved medial edge.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear has a sole plate that may include a midfoot region, and also may include a forefoot region or a heel region. The sole plate may have a foot-facing surface with ridges extending longitudinally in the midfoot region and in the forefoot region or heel region. The sole plate may have a ground-facing surface with grooves extending longitudinally in correspondence with the ridges. A thickness of the sole plate from the foot-facing surface to the ground-facing surface may vary at a transverse cross-section of the sole plate through the ridges, or along a length of at least one of the ridges, or at both the transverse cross-section and along the length of the at least one of the ridges. The ridges may have crests at least some of which may extend non-parallel with one another in a longitudinal direction of the sole plate.

Abstract: A shoe and shoe ornamenting device is shown. The shoe is shown in an exemplary embodiment, depicted as a preferred loafer having attachment points for attachment of a shoe ornamenting device thereto. The attachment points preferably comprise a loop of material that serves as a point of connection for the shoe ornamenting device. A replaceable band is secured to a first shackle and a second shackle, the shackles being removably secured, respectively, to loops of material at each bridge end of the shoe, using a fastener, such as a pin, which secures the shackle to a loop.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an article of footwear having a sole structure effective to increase traction on a support surface. The article of footwear includes a sole structure comprising a first sole structure and a second sole structure. The article of footwear includes a forefoot region, midfoot region, and hindfoot region. The first sole structure is disposed in the forefoot and hindfoot regions. The second sole structure is disposed in the midfoot region. An extension of the second sole structure that extends through the forefoot region is substantially covered by the first sole structure. A plurality of lugs extend downwardly from the bottom surface of the first sole structure. At least one lug extends downwardly from the extension of the second sole structure through the first sole structure. The first sole structure and the second sole structure have different durometers.

Abstract: Examples of the disclosure are directed to a tap apparatus for attachment to a tap shoe. In some examples, the tap apparatus can include an upper tap portion that can be attached to the tap shoe, and a lower tap portion that covers and protects the fasteners used to attach the upper tap portion to the tap shoe. In some examples, the lower tap portion may slide onto the upper tap portion using a dovetail-like attachment mechanism. Screws or locking tabs may then be used to hold the lower tap portion in place. In some examples, the lower tap portion may be affixed to the upper tap portion using a threaded fastener, plug, or floating screw. In some examples, a tab in the upper tap portion can be retained in an aperture in the tap portion, and the lower tap portion can be pivotably engaged with the upper tap portion.

Abstract: A shoe for preventing ankle injuries comprises a sole with a ground-engaging surface, and lateral and medial edges associated with respective lateral and medial connecting portions interconnecting and extending between the ground-engaging surface and the lateral and medial edges. At least one of the connecting portions defines a surface area of reduced friction provided, e.g., in the form of retrofitted patches, which are circumferentially surrounded by adjacent surface areas having a relatively high coefficient of friction. Friction is differentiated in different areas of those parts of the shoe which are implicated in injury mechanisms, and injuries may thus be prevented in the recovery phase after injury, and primary prophylaxis may be achieved. The area of reduced friction reduces the ability of the wearer's foot to rotate relative to ground when the load of the wearer's body is shifted towards or lands near the edge of the shoe.

Abstract: A hidden drainage system for shoes, configured on the outsole of a shoe, in which the two sides of the outsole are provided with a plurality of curved sections that are curved inward; the top of the outsole is provided with a plurality of transverse drainage troughs and several longitudinal drainage troughs; each of the transverse drainage troughs extends along the direction of the width of the outsole, and both ends are communicated with each of the curved sections, so that the two ends of each of the transverse drainage troughs will not be exposed on the side face of the outsole; the longitudinal drainage troughs extend along the length of the outsole and are communicated with each of the transverse drainage troughs; thus, water entering the shoe will flow into each of the transverse and longitudinal drainage troughs, and be discharged from each of the transverse drainage troughs.

Abstract: A surface structure for sports boots used for ball games having increased ball-contact properties where each boot has an upper part and a sole and the upper part has an outer surface used for shooting a ball, wherein at least a part of said ball shooting outer surface comprises a coating that has an adhesive substance covering said outer surface and a grained structure embedded in and kept by the adhesive. The grained structure comprises discrete granules of a resilient material, wherein between the adhesive and the outer surface of the upper part and between the adhesive and the granules a stable and durable bonding is provided, and the granules have outer surfaces that provide an improved contact with the ball when getting in contact with it.

Abstract: There is provided a footwear capable of efficiently removing vibrations of specific frequencies that could propagate to the human body upon landing during running or walking. A footwear includes a sole; an upper connected to an upper-side perimeter region of the sole; and a vibration absorbing unit which absorbs vibration generated by an impact upon landing. The vibration absorbing unit includes a platy flexible support portion which has a smaller rigidity in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction, and a weight portion provided in the support portion. The support portion is fixed to the sole or the upper, surrounding a perimeter of the weight portion.

Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to braided articles and methods for their manufacture. The braided articles may include articles of footwear having braided uppers. The braided uppers may include a base yarn and a high performance yarn. The high performance yarn may form a braided structure within the braided upper. The braided structure may be continuously braided to provide continuous support to a wearer's foot when the article of footwear is worn as intended, by a wearer.