Abstract: The invention relates to articles of footwear having traction elements, and systems and methods for manufacturing same. An example shoe includes an upper and a sole plate, the sole plate including a lower surface adapted for ground contact having a first sole portion including first traction elements, the first traction elements having a distal end and a side wall with extensions extending from a central core, and a second sole portion including second traction elements, the second traction elements having at least one geometrical feature differing in one or more aspects from a corresponding geometrical feature of the first traction elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to embroidered material portions for incorporation into an article of footwear, and systems and methods for the manufacture thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to an article of footwear having an upper with a sole structure, the upper including a first upper element including a base layer and a first structural layer including at least one first fiber embroidered onto the exterior surface of the base layer, the at least one first fiber forming a plurality of first elongate structural elements extending over the exterior surface of the base layer to provide discrete localized structural support to the base layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to articles of footwear having traction elements, and systems and methods for manufacturing same. An example shoe includes an upper and a sole plate, the sole plate including a lower surface adapted for ground contact having a first sole portion including first traction elements, the first traction elements having a distal end and a side wall with extensions extending from a central core, and a second sole portion including second traction elements, the second traction elements having at least one geometrical feature differing in one or more aspects from a corresponding geometrical feature of the first traction elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for monitoring one or more athletic performance characteristic and physiological characteristic of a user. An exemplary system includes a first sensing unit adapted to monitor at least one performance characteristic of a user, a second sensing unit adapted to monitor at least one physiological characteristic of the user, and a transmitter for transmitting the at least one performance characteristic and at least one physiological characteristic to a remote receiver that is adapted to identify a relationship between the at least one performance characteristic and the at least one physiological characteristic.

Abstract: The invention relates to embroidered material portions for incorporation into an article of footwear, and systems and methods for the manufacture thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to an article of footwear having an upper with a sole structure, the upper including a first upper element including a base layer and a first structural layer including at least one first fiber embroidered onto the exterior surface of the base layer, the at least one first fiber forming a plurality of first elongate structural elements extending over the exterior surface of the base layer to provide discrete localized structural support to the base layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for monitoring one or more athletic performance characteristic and physiological characteristic of a user. An exemplary system includes a first sensing unit adapted to monitor at least one performance characteristic of a user, a second sensing unit adapted to monitor at least one physiological characteristic of the user, and a transmitter for transmitting the at least one performance characteristic and at least one physiological characteristic to a remote receiver that is adapted to identify a relationship between the at least one performance characteristic and the at least one physiological characteristic.

Abstract: A head portion for counterbalancing a random orbital machine including a first element adapted for connection to a drive means for the machine and to an abrasive pad assembly. The drive means is rotatable about a first axis of rotation and the abrasive pad assembly is rotatable about a second axis of rotation that is parallel to the first axis of rotation and lying within a plane common with the first axis. The head portion also includes a second element detachably connected to the first element. The first and second elements are configured to at least substantially counterbalance portions of the abrasive pad assembly not disposed concentrically of the first axis of rotation and forces to which the abrasive pad assembly is exposed during use as a result of the abrasive pad assembly engaging with a work surface.