Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for improving at least one of the water-resistance, stain resistance, and/or oil resistance of a fabric by treating the fabric with a composition comprising a wetting-agent, a fluorocarbon repellant, and a carrier.

Abstract: A boot comprising an upper portion, an outersole portion, an optional midsole/wedge portion and a shell portion, wherein the shell portion is produced by the blow molding process. The shell portion may contain a midsole/wedge element inside or outside of its volumetric shape and it may also contain a pre-molded outersole which is replaced into the blow mold. The shell portion can be produced with thickness as little as 0.25 mm and weight as low as 25 grams. The shell portion may be constructed of any material that is extrudable. The shell portion is produced with mold cavities, but no mold core. The shell portion may be flocked internally with textile fibers. A pair of shell portions can be simultaneously produced from a single extrusion of material.

Abstract: A contoured platform to be used in an article of footwear includes a contoured inner and outer surface, the inner and outer surface defining at least one integral portion, the integral portion including a curved arch portion and/or a raised portion, such that the contoured inner and outer surfaces extend beyond the arch of the footwear, either extending forward of the arch of the footwear, extending behind the arch of the footwear, or extending in both directions beyond the arch of the footwear. The outer surface of the contoured platform may be configured to have at least one outsole component attached to it, and at least a portion of an exterior bottom surface of the contoured platform may be formed to serve as a portion of an exterior bottom surface of the article of footwear. Articles of footwear and sole assemblies are constructed using the contoured platforms according to the present invention.

Abstract: A boot comprising an upper portion, an outersole portion, an optional midsole/wedge portion and a shell portion, wherein the shell portion is produced by the blow molding process. The shell portion may contain a midsole/wedge element inside or outside of its volumetric shape and it may also contain a pre-molded outersole which is replaced into the blow mold. The shell portion can be produced with thickness as little as 0.25 mm and weight as low as 25 grams. The shell portion may be constructed of any material that is extrudable. The shell portion is produced with mold cavities, but no mold core. The shell portion may be flocked internally with textile fibers. A pair of shell portions can be simultaneously produced from a single extrusion of material.

Abstract: A shoe sole insert has foam-filled independently compressible regions that extend through a midsole and beyond an outsole bottom surface so a particular region, when it strikes a traversed surface, is compressed vertically and expands horizontally against the midsole. In one embodiment, five groups of such regions are beneath the metatarsal bones and proximal phalanges. In a second embodiment, two transversely extending regions are beneath forward and rearward portions of the metatarsals. The rearward transverse region has a ridge that is farther from the outsole bottom face than a ridge of the forward transverse region. In another aspect, an array of regions below the tarsal and calcaneus bones is arranged so a region at the very rear of the heel compresses vertically to a greater extent than a lateral side region in response to the same striking force, so pronation tends to be corrected.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the encapsulation of a cellular insert, in the form of cellular components, formed of woven material fabricating such cellular components that present voids or cavities therein, or which may be formed from spirally or helically wound strands of a polymer having a hardness exceeding that of the foamed or other polymer composition in which the insert locates, as within the structure of a sole for an athletic shoe.

Abstract: A shoe for casual or athletic footwear which provides support cushioning and walking comfort due to the presence of an internal dynamic rocker element disposed in a forefoot area of the midsole.

Abstract: A shoe includes a midsole with an anti-G-force heel capsule that nests in a corresponding aperture in the heel. The heel capsule interacts with an anti-torsion member, the rearmost portion of which lies proximate to the heel plug, and with an energy-efficient forefoot midsole section, thus providing a support and cushioning system that absorbs shocks associated with walking, and also prevents excessive pronation.

Abstract: In an athletic shoe, an external counter and cushion assembly includes a substantially rigid external counter extending medially to approximately the front flex line, and a rearfoot cushion member is mounted within the rigid counter. This assembly mounts externally to the heel and counter region of a lasted upper. The floor of the cushion member also extends forwardly toward the front-flex region of the shoe and is preferably wedge-shaped to serve as a heel-lift layer. The cushion walls are generally coextensive with the counter walls, insulating the upper from the rigid counter in this region. The external counter construction includes a base flange which mounts atop the midsole periphery on a plane substantially below the bottom surface of the foot.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the encapsulation of a cellular insert, in the form of cellular components, formed of woven material fabricating such cellular components that present voids or cavities therein, or which may be formed from spirally or helically wound strands of a polymer having a hardness exceeding that of the foamed or other polymer composition in which the insert locates, as within the structure of a sole for an athletic shoe.

Abstract: In an athletic shoe, an external counter and cushion assembly includes a substantially rigid external counter extending medially to approximately the front flex line, and a rearfoot cushion member is mounted within the rigid counter. This assembly mounts externally to the heel and counter region of a lasted upper. The floor of the cushion member also extends forwardly toward the front-flex region of the shoe and is preferably wedge-shaped to serve as a heel-lift layer. The cushion walls are generally coextensive with the counter walls, insulating the upper from the rigid counter in this region. The external counter construction includes a base flange which mounts atop the midsole periphery on a plane substantially below the bottom surface of the foot.

Abstract: A shock absorbing sole member used in an athletic shoe having an upper and a sole is disclosed. The shock absorbing sole member is comprised of an insert member and elastomeric foam encasing the insert member. The insert member is formed of resilient plastic material and includes a plurality of transversely and longitudinally spaced discrete shock absorbing projections. The elastomeric foam has a low hardness, less than 70 on the Asker C scale.

Abstract: An athletic shoe construction having shock absorbing elements in the heel and forefoot areas of the sole portion of the shoe which elements are surrounded on their sides by comparatively hard rim portions of a sole shell or mid-sole.

Abstract: An athletic shoe which has a light-weight and readily flexible sole construction including shock absorbing portions in the heel and forefoot areas of the sole having different shock absorbing porperties with the shock absorbing portion in the heel area having a shock absorbing property greater than that in the forefoot area. Flexible nubs are included on the sole for traction and cushioning purposes where the spacing between nubs in heavy load bearing areas of the sole is less than the spacing between nubs in light load bearing areas of the sole. The nubs are positioned to facilitate flexing of the sole along normal breaklines corresponding to the joints of the foot of a wearer. The heel portion of the sole may include a cut out forming in part a vertically extending deflection rib surrounding a shock absorbing portion to further enhance shock absorbing, cushioning and propulsion properties.

Abstract: A ski boot having a stiff outer shell and a soft inner boot within the shell. A front part of the ski boot has a stiff corrugated front portion adapted to overlap the top and forward portion of the lower leg of the wearer and which allows the wearer to bend the lower leg in the forward direction to flex the corrugated front portion while allowing the heel of the wearer to remain in the heel portion of the shell.

Abstract: A flexible air circulation shoe material adapted to be used as an insole for a shoe and also adapted to form the upper of a shoe. The material comprises two mesh-like fabrics separated by a corrugated separating material extending between and joining the two fabrics to provide a non-collapsible air space therebetween and where the separating material resists deformation of the fabrics towards each other upon application of a compressive force.