Abstract: A slip resistant overshoe allowing expansion between a toe section and a heel section to allow a variety of shoe sizes and types to be inserted. The overshoe is formed from a sole having a flexible shank connected to an upper member. The upper member includes a front section and a rear section with opposing side sections therebetween. Each of the opposing side sections and flexible shank includes a corrugated shape to allow expansion of a distance between the front and rear section; a flatter surface resulting in greater slip resistance. Channels formed along a toe section and heel section expand and contract to expel debris providing an anti-clog function to maintain material slip resistance of the overshoe.

Abstract: A slip resistant overshoe allowing expansion between a toe section and a heel section to allow a variety of shoe sizes and types to be inserted. The overshoe is formed from a sole having a flexible shank connected to an upper member. The upper member includes a front section and a rear section with opposing side sections therebetween. Each of the opposing side sections and flexible shank includes a corrugated shape to allow expansion of a distance between the front and rear section; a flatter surface resulting in greater slip resistance. Channels formed along a toe section and heel section expand and contract to expel debris providing an anti-clog function to maintain material slip resistance of the overshoe.

Abstract: Multiple shoe types are made from a plurality of generic molded base frames including a midsole and at least one upper portion integrally molded together. A first set of upper components is provided for forming a first shoe type secured to a first portion of the base frames and a second set of upper components is provided for forming a second shoe type secured to a second portion of the base frames. The upper portion that is integrally molded with the midsole may be a forefoot panel or a quarter. The various types formed from the generic frame include sneakers, backless shoes, slip-ons, skate shoes and boots. The generic unitary molded frame construction substantially reduces the cost of manufacture.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes providing a knitting machine having a processor programmed to cause the knitting machine to knit a wool pile fabric having a plurality of footwear components and simultaneously knitting wool fibers and a scrim to form the wool pile fabric including the footwear components.

Abstract: A method of making a sheared wool, deep pile fabric that closely resembles natural sheepskin fleece that includes forming a length of wool pile fabric having natural wool fibers on one side and a scrim on an opposing side and finishing the wool pile fabric as natural shearling. The finishing process includes polishing the wool fiber side of the pile fabric by guiding the length of pile fabric over one or more heated first polishing rolls, applying a sheepskin conditioning solution to the wool fiber side of the pile fabric, further polishing the wool fiber side of the pile fabric by guiding the fabric a plurality of times over one or more second heated polishing rolls, and cutting the wool fibers to a designated length.

Abstract: A density enhancement method for a wool pile fabric comprising simultaneously knitting a plurality of shorter sheared wool fibers and a plurality of longer sheared wool fibers to a backing material. The mixture of the shorter and the longer wool fibers enhances the density of the wool pile fabric and closely replicates the density of natural shearling.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a component for an article of footwear including providing a two-part mold, inserting a first material layer in the mold, pouring a polyurethane layer on the first material layer, placing a piece of a wool pile fabric on the polyurethane layer and closing the mold for a designated period of time for forming a wool pile fabric component such as a footwear insole. After the designated period of time the mold is opened and the molded wool pile fabric component is removed from the mold.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes providing a knitting machine having a processor programmed to cause the knitting machine to knit a wool pile fabric having a plurality of footwear components and simultaneously knitting wool fibers and a scrim to form the wool pile fabric including the footwear components.

Abstract: A wool pile fabric product including a plurality of wool fibers and at least one security fiber knit with a textile scrim to form a pile fabric having a scrim side and a fiber pile side. The product also includes a facing material that is attached to the scrim side of the wool pile fabric. The security fiber in the product provides a discrete way to identify a genuine product.

Abstract: A method of making a sheared wool, deep pile fabric that closely resembles natural sheepskin fleece that includes forming a length of wool pile fabric having natural wool fibers on one side and a scrim on an opposing side and finishing the wool pile fabric as natural shearling. The finishing process includes polishing the wool fiber side of the pile fabric by guiding the length of pile fabric over one or more heated first polishing rolls, applying a sheepskin conditioning solution to the wool fiber side of the pile fabric, further polishing the wool fiber side of the pile fabric by guiding the fabric a plurality of times over one or more second heated polishing rolls, and cutting the wool fibers to a designated length.

Abstract: Multiple shoe types are made from a plurality of generic molded base frames including a midsole and at least one upper portion integrally molded together. A first set of upper components is provided for forming a first shoe type secured to a first portion of the base frames and a second set of upper components is provided for forming a second shoe type secured to a second portion of the base frames. The upper portion that is integrally molded with the midsole may be a forefoot panel or a quarter. The various types formed from the generic frame include sneakers, backless shoes, slip-ons, skate shoes and boots. The generic unitary molded frame construction substantially reduces the cost of manufacture.

Abstract: A combination shock absorbing and ventilating apparatus for a foot bed of a shoe, comprises an air chamber having at least one flexible wall located in the foot bed of the shoe, an air intake to the air chamber, an air outlet from the air chamber, a one-way valve on at least one of the air intake or the outlet, at least one of the intake or outlet being connected to the foot bed of the shoe and operative to circulate air with the foot bed, at least one resilient member within the chamber operative to re-inflate the air chamber, and a turbine on a sidewall of the shoe, the turbine having a wheel, one of the air inlet or the air outlet being connected to the turbine for directing air flow to spin the wheel.

Abstract: A combination shock absorbing and ventilating apparatus for a foot bed of a shoe, comprises an air chamber having at least one flexible wall located in the foot bed of the shoe, an air intake to the air chamber, an air outlet from the air chamber, a one-way valve on at least one of the air intake or the outlet, at least one of the intake or outlet being connected to the foot bed of the shoe and operative to circulate air with the foot bed, at least one resilient member within the chamber operative to re-inflate the air chamber, and a turbine on a sidewall of the shoe, the turbine having a wheel, one of the air inlet or the air outlet being connected to the turbine for directing air flow to spin the wheel.

Abstract: An injection molded article has at least a first portion with a first cross sectional thickness and an integral second portion having a second cross sectional thickness. A plurality of hollow projections extend into the second portion, thereby allowing the second portion to have an overall cross sectional thickness substantially greater than the first portion thickness.

Abstract: A midsole comprises a heel cup having a semi-rigid upper plate, a lower plate composed of a material that is softer than the upper plate, and at least one telescopic shock absorber between the upper and lower plates. The telescopic shock absorbers have one portion that collapses into a second portion when the shock absorber is loaded or compressed. On release of the load, the shock absorbers of the invention return only a controlled portion of the compressive load originally applied. A second embodiment has a translucent heel cup and shock absorbers and a lamp for illuminating the heel cup and shock absorbers.