Abstract: A boot having a shoe shaped shell member and a cuff member having a section overlapping the shell member. The cuff and shell members are pivotally connected together for pivoting movement in response to pivoting of the individual's leg relative to the individual's foot. An elastomeric material is disposed between said shell member to pivotally connect the two members together.

Abstract: A boot having a shoe shaped shell member and a cuff member having a section overlapping the shell member. The cuff and shell members are pivotally connected together for pivoting movement in response to pivoting of the individual's leg relative to the individual's foot. An elastomeric material is disposed between said shell member to pivotally connect the two members together.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite shoe bottom that has a lower shaped support layer with a lower surface and an increased height around the periphery of the heel area and an irregular contoured upper stabilizing surface for the wearer's foot; a shoe upper superimposed upon the upper surface of the lower layer; an upper cushioning layer of a material that is softer than the lower layer, the upper layer having a varying thickness which is pre-shaped to a contour complementary to the bottom surface of the wearer's foot and having an increased height around the periphery of the heel area and in the arch area to form a raised arch support and to provide an irregular contoured upper stabilizing surface for the wearer's foot; and means for forming an outsole secured to at least a portion of the lower surface of the lower support layer and comprising at least one strip of a wear resistant material which is positioned upon the lower layer in an area which will experience abrasion or shock.

Abstract: A composite shoe bottom is disclosed comprising a lower layer of firm material and an upper softer layer superposed thereon. Each layer has an upper contoured surface such that the total compressibility of the shoe bottom, as determined by the relative thicknesses of the layers, is predetermined and differs along the surface. The upper layer has an uppermost surface which is shaped to fit against and be complemental to the bottom of the foot of a wearer.

Abstract: A composite shoe bottom is disclosed comprising a lower layer of firm material and an upper softer layer superposed thereon. Each layer has an upper contoured surface such that the total compressibility of the shoe bottom, as determined by the relative thicknesses of the layers, is predetermined and differs along the surface. The upper layer has an uppermost surface which is shaped to fit against and be complemental to the bottom of the foot of a wearer.

Abstract: A shoe upper portion of a ski boot comprises a shell portion enclosing the foot and a tongue portion attached thereto. The tongue portion comprises an instep region and a shin region and a transition region therebetween. A corrugated or undulated wall section having elevations and depressions, i.e. corrugations, is located in the transition region. This wall section is composed of a different type of material than the remainder of the tongue portion and possesses a lower bending stiffness or flexural rigidity than the remainder of the tongue portion. This wall section is non-detachably joined to the remainder of the tongue portion and forms therewith a unitary structure. The larger bending or flexural elasticity of the wall section facilitates bending of the lower leg.

Abstract: A slip-resistant shoe sole comprising an outsole layer having a bottom surface defining a region of contact between the sole and the ground, the outsole layer bearing a plurality of channels opening onto the bottom surface to define a pattern of elongated gaps across the contact region, the ratio of the area of the gaps to the surface area of the contact region and the configuration of the gaps being arranged to effectively cause liquid between the contact region and the ground to be conducted away while enhancing the slip resistance produced by the contact region engaging the ground.

Abstract: An insulated handwear construction which has an outer shell, an inner lining and an insulation material having thermal convection passages therein positioned between the shell and inner lining. The insulation material connects to a source of heat located on either the palm side or back side of the handwear construction and extends over finger and thumb portions to transfer heat from the heat source to the finger and thumb tips of a wearer.

Abstract: An improved athletic shoe having an injection-molded intermediate portion bonding a fabric upper portion and a rubber outsole portion, for improved fit and comfort, and decreased injury-causing fatigue, particularly adapted for use in the playing court-type sports such as basketball is disclosed. The injection-molded intermediate portion conforms to and partially envelopes the metatarsal area and the heel area of the wearer's foot, and has an intermediate portion which gives lateral support to the instep area of a wearer's foot, such that the shoe moves as a unit together with the wearer's foot. An elastic band is provided about the ankle opening, which is disposed in the area of the subtalar ankle joint, put into tension to retain the shoe upon the foot of the wearer as the shoelace is tied.

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: 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: 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.

Abstract: An insulated glove construction having a strip of mesh-like insulation material extending over the front, back and tip portions of each of the fingers and of the thumb of the glove and positioned between outer and inner linings making up the glove body. Heating means may be provided to warm the tips of the front of the fingers and the tip of the front of the thumb of the glove. Battery means may be carried in the glove body to provide a source of energy for the heating means.

Abstract: An insulated insole construction comprising a layer of plastic mesh material shaped such that when inserted in a shoe, it will have a portion extending over the inner sole of the shoe. A portion of the insole may be bent to form a toe cap to encircle the inner toe area of the shoe and the insole may have an additional portion engaging the inner sides of the shoe in the heel and arch area. The plastic mesh material comprises two spaced mesh-like plastic fabrics separated by a plastic separating material, all of which are encased within plastic films to form a non-collapsible chamber between the plastic films.

Abstract: A heated inner sole for use in a boot where the inner sole comprises a cellular plastic material overlaid by a fabric material having heating elements therebetween. The opposite side of the cellular material has a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon by which the inner sole may be affixed to the inside of a boot. The heating elements are connected by wiring to a battery contained in a battery case carried by slide means attached to the boot heel.