Abstract: The present invention is related to a water-resistant shoe and a method of making the water-resistant shoe. In most embodiments the shoe comprises an outsole, an insole, an upper, and a bootie product comprised of a bootie, a bootie liner, a strobel and a gasket. In many embodiments water-resistant materials such as tape or glue are used to cover all seams and joints. In some embodiments the different pieces are tested for water-resistance before combining and in others the final shoe is tested for water-resistance. The present shoe and method provide a comfortable yet water-resistant shoe.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a water-resistant shoe and a method of making the water-resistant shoe. In most embodiments the shoe comprises an outsole, an insole, an upper, and a bootie product comprised of a bootie, a bootie liner, a strobel and a gasket. In many embodiments water-resistant materials such as tape or glue are used to cover all seams and joints. In some embodiments the different pieces are tested for water-resistance before combining and in others the final shoe is tested for water-resistance. The present shoe and method provide a comfortable yet water-resistant shoe.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a water-resistant shoe and a method of making the water-resistant shoe. In most embodiments the shoe comprises an outsole, an insole, an upper, and a bootie product comprised of a bootie, a bootie liner, a strobel and a gasket. In many embodiments water-resistant materials such as tape or glue are used to cover all seams and joints. In some embodiments the different pieces are tested for water-resistance before combining and in others the final shoe is tested for water-resistance. The present shoe and method provide a comfortable yet water-resistant shoe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for delivering information related to a product, including a computer, a webpage displayed on the computer that is directed to the product, a program executing on the computer for placing an overlay over the webpage where at least one portion of the overlay is generally transparent, and a program executing on the computer for displaying a plurality of hyperlinks on the overlay, each hyperlink indicating a different characteristic of the product. The invention also includes a program executing on the computer for, when a hyperlink is actuated, automatically displaying a sample and a menu of other samples of a characteristic of the actuated hyperlink.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing a shoe having the steps of providing an upper, a sole, and a stitching; washing the upper for achieving a weathered appearance of the upper without subjecting the stitching and sole to the washing; and softening the sole. The method also comprises stitching the sole and the upper together with the stitching; working the sole to weather an appearance of the sole; drying the upper and sole together for disfiguring the upper and sole and for achieving a generally uniform weathered appearance; cyclically working the sole to match the appearance of the upper; and cyclically working the upper to match the appearance of the sole. The invention also includes the shoe.

Abstract: A closing system having an item to be closed and opened, a clasp, and a receiver. The clasp has an anchoring end and a lace end, where the lace end is adapted to hold a part of the item and the anchoring end includes a first part and a second part that are movable away from and toward one another. The receiver includes a first receptacle and a second receptacle for engaging the first and second parts, respectively, where the receiver is a removably attachable mechanism. The clasp is removably joinable to the receiver when the first and second parts are engaged with the first and second receptacles and, when the first and second parts are disengaged with the first and second receptacles, the clasp is separable from the receiver. The first and second parts are movable away from one another and the receiver is removably attached to the item.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing a shoe having the steps of providing an upper, a sole, and a stitching; washing the upper for achieving a weathered appearance of the upper without subjecting the stitching and sole to the washing; and softening the sole. The method also comprises stitching the sole and the upper together with the stitching; working the sole to weather an appearance of the sole; drying the upper and sole together for disfiguring the upper and sole and for achieving a generally uniform weathered appearance; cyclically working the sole to match the appearance of the upper; and cyclically working the upper to match the appearance of the sole. The invention also includes the shoe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for selectively providing inventory to an online retailer including an inventory database, a customer database, a computer in communication with the inventory database and customer database, software executing on the computer for retrieving inventory data from the inventory database, software executing on the computer for generating a product list containing one or more products to be made available for purchase by the customer, and software executing on the computer. for transmitting the product list to the customer. The software for generating the product list includes a graphical user interface, and the product list is generated based on the selection of products by a user via the graphical interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bladder and incorporation of a bladder in a shoe for cushioning a wearer's foot having an outsole, an upper, and a bladder adapted to receive the foot and being placed between the outsole and the upper. The bladder further has a first chamber and a second chamber, where the first chamber is in contact with the second chamber for providing continuous cushioning. The bladder is also removably placed between the upper and outsole. In other aspects of the invention, the bladder is integrally placed between the upper and outsole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe having an outsole with an inside surface and an outside surface. The shoe also has an upper placed above the inside surface and a stitch that extends through the upper and the outsole for securing the upper and outsole together, wherein the stitch also extends from the outside surface to the upper in generally alternating diagonal directions so that the stitch intersects itself.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for delivering information related to a product, including a computer, a webpage displayed on the computer that is directed to the product, a program executing on the computer for placing an overlay over the webpage where at least one portion of the overlay is generally transparent, and a program executing on the computer for displaying a plurality of hyperlinks on the overlay, each hyperlink indicating a different characteristic of the product. The invention also includes a program executing on the computer for, when a hyperlink is actuated, automatically displaying a sample and a menu of other samples of a characteristic of the actuated hyperlink.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing an improved lacing system having a clasp with an anchoring end and a lace end, where the lace end is adapted to hold a lace. An anchoring end is also included having a first part and a second part where the first and second parts are movable away from and toward one another. The closing mechanism also has a receiver with a first receptacle and a second receptacle for engaging the first and second parts, respectively, and wherein the clasp is removably joinable to the receiver when the first and second parts are engaged with the first and second receptacles and, when the first and second parts are disengaged with the first and second receptacles, the clasp is separable from the receiver.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a shoe having a sole with a top surface, a fore area, and a rear area. The shoe also includes a lip extending above the top surface and around a periphery of the fore area of the sole and around a periphery of the rear area of the sole. The shoe further includes an upper with a fore area and a rear area and being in contact with the lip. A first stitch is used to connect the fore area of the upper to the lip proximate to the fore area of the sole and a second stitch is used to connect the rear area of the upper to the lip proximate to the rear area of the sole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for removably placing a pad on a shoe, including a bottom surface of the shoe, a pad secured to the bottom surface, an extension extending from the pad, the extension being secured to the bottom surface, and wherein the extension facilitates removal or application of the pad to the bottom surface.