Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a ball control region. The ball control region is formed on an exterior surface of the upper and includes at least one ball control pad having a ball control panel attached to and spaced apart from the upper by one or more flexible elements.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a first plate extending from a forefoot region of the sole structure to a heel region of the sole structure. The first plate has a first surface and a second surface formed on an opposite side of the first plate than the first surface. The sole structure further includes a second plate extending from the forefoot region to the heel region. The second plate has a third surface opposing the second surface of the first plate and a fourth surface disposed on an opposite side of the second plate than the third surface. The third surface is spaced apart from the second surface to define a cavity between the first plate and the second plate that extends from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure between the forefoot region and the heel region.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a midsole body having a proximal surface and a distal surface. Proprioceptive elements may extend in the hole in the midsole body, and translate toward the proximal surface in the holes upon a force directed along a central axis of the hole at a distal end of the proprioceptive elements. In various embodiments, the holes may angle relative to vertical from the proximal surface to the distal surface, the holes may be defined by perforations and the proprioceptive elements may be integral portions of the midsole body, or the midsole body may have a plurality of annular holes at the proximal surface, and a plurality of annular recesses in the distal surface, and a plurality of proprioceptive elements, each centered in a different annular hole of the plurality of annular holes. Methods of manufacturing articles of footwear are described.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a midsole body having a proximal surface and a distal surface. Proprioceptive elements may extend in the hole in the midsole body, and translate toward the proximal surface in the holes upon a force directed along a central axis of the hole at a distal end of the proprioceptive elements. In various embodiments, the holes may angle relative to vertical from the proximal surface to the distal surface, the holes may be defined by perforations and the proprioceptive elements may be integral portions of the midsole body, or the midsole body may have a plurality of annular holes at the proximal surface, and a plurality of annular recesses in the distal surface, and a plurality of proprioceptive elements, each centered in a different annular hole of the plurality of annular holes. Methods of manufacturing articles of footwear are described.

Abstract: An article of apparel or sporting equipment, such as garments and footwear incorporates a molded component formed of a UV radiation curable material. In the case of an article of footwear, the UV radiation curable material may be formed into an outsole. The method of manufacturing such articles include placing an ultraviolet radiation curable material in contact with a molding surface; conforming the UV radiation curable material to a shape of the molding surface, forming a molded component; and removing the molded component from the molding surface, such that the component maintains the shape of the molding surface. The molded component may be exposed to ultraviolet radiation in an amount and for a duration that is sufficient to partially cure or fully cure the UV radiation curable material.

Abstract: An article of apparel or sporting equipment, such as garments and footwear incorporates a molded component formed of a UV radiation curable material. In the case of an article of footwear, the UV radiation curable material may be formed into an outsole. The method of manufacturing such articles include placing an ultraviolet radiation curable material in contact with a molding surface; conforming the UV radiation curable material to a shape of the molding surface, forming a molded component; and removing the molded component from the molding surface, such that the component maintains the shape of the molding surface. The molded component may be exposed to ultraviolet radiation in an amount and for a duration that is sufficient to partially cure or fully cure the UV radiation curable material.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a protective apparatus that includes an impact shell and an impact attenuating component, which is less rigid than the impact shell. The impact attenuation component may include a series of channels or grooves on a posterior side, facing away from the impact shell.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a protective apparatus that is comprised of an impact shell and an impact attenuating structure. The impact shell includes two shell portions that are moveably hinged to one another to conform to the underlying protected portion, such as an athlete's shin region. The protective apparatus also utilizes an impact attenuating structure that functions to attenuate an impact force as well as serve as a hinge between the two-part shell. Additional aspects include a puncture prevention element that is positioned between the two shell portions to resist impalement at the hinge junction formed between the two shell portions. Further, additional aspects utilize one or more channels on a posterior surface of the impact attenuating structure to aid in guiding the articulation of the impact attenuating structure in a location related to the shell articulation joint.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear is provided and includes a first sole plate formed at least in part from a first material having a first stiffness and including a first ground-engaging portion and a second ground-engaging portion, the first ground-engaging portion defining a first aperture extending around the second ground-engaging portion. The sole structure further including a membrane coupled to the first ground-engaging portion and the second ground-engaging portion and at least partially exposed by the first aperture, the membrane formed at least in part from a second material having a second stiffness that is less than the first stiffness.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a protective pad that is comprised of an impact shell and a damping component. The damping component may be formed by a plurality of connecting members that are separated from the impact shell by a plurality of extension members that extend between the damping lattice and the impact shell. The damping component may also be formed by a sheet-like form that is separated from the impact shell by a plurality of extension members that extend between the damping sheet and the impact shell. The damping component is formed from an elastomer that aids in absorbing a portion of an impact force that is distributed across the damping component by the impact shell. The dampening component may be affixed to the impact shell by way of a coupling frame that is incorporated into the impact shell.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a protective pad that is comprised of an impact shell and a damping component. The damping component may be formed by a plurality of connecting members that are separated from the impact shell by a plurality of extension members that extend between the damping lattice and the impact shell. The damping component may also be formed by a sheet-like form that is separated from the impact shell by a plurality of extension members that extend between the damping sheet and the impact shell. The damping component is formed from an elastomer that aids in absorbing a portion of an impact force that is distributed across the damping component by the impact shell. The dampening component may be affixed to the impact shell by way of a coupling frame that is incorporated into the impact shell.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a shin guard sleeve that extends higher in a calf portion than in a shin portion of the shin guard sleeve. Additional aspects may include a shin guard sleeve having an apex located in the calf region of a wearer to provide a volume able to be filled by the calf region of the wearer. Further, aspects may include one or more maintainers affixed to the shin guard sleeve to further resist slipping of the shin guard sleeve.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a midsole body having a proximal surface and a distal surface. Proprioceptive elements may extend in the hole in the midsole body, and translate toward the proximal surface in the holes upon a force directed along a central axis of the hole at a distal end of the proprioceptive elements. In various embodiments, the holes may angle relative to vertical from the proximal surface to the distal surface, the holes may be defined by perforations and the proprioceptive elements may be integral portions of the midsole body, or the midsole body may have a plurality of annular holes at the proximal surface, and a plurality of annular recesses in the distal surface, and a plurality of proprioceptive elements, each centered in a different annular hole of the plurality of annular holes. Methods of manufacturing articles of footwear are described.

Abstract: An article of apparel or sporting equipment, such as garments and footwear incorporates a molded component formed of a UV radiation curable material. In the case of an article of footwear, the UV radiation curable material may be formed into an outsole. The method of manufacturing such articles include placing an ultraviolet radiation curable material in contact with a molding surface; conforming the UV radiation curable material to a shape of the molding surface, forming a molded component; and removing the molded component from the molding surface, such that the component maintains the shape of the molding surface. The molded component may be exposed to ultraviolet radiation in an amount and for a duration that is sufficient to partially cure or fully cure the UV radiation curable material.

Abstract: Articles of wear having one or more textiles that include a low processing temperature polymeric composition and a high processing temperature polymeric composition, and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The low processing temperature polymeric composition and the high processing temperature polymeric composition can be selectively incorporated into a textile to provide one or more structural properties and/or other advantageous properties to the article. The textile can be thermoformed to impart such structural and/or other advantageous properties to the article of wear. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A liquid hummingbird feeder is provided with a liquid container having a sealable top opening and a bottom opening, a liquid tray adapted to immerse the bottom opening in liquid, and a valve mechanism adapted to close the bottom opening to enable the liquid container to be filled through the sealable top opening.

Abstract: A sole structure can include provisions for improving the cushioning characteristics and stability of an article of footwear. The sole structure may include multiple layers with specialized structural properties designed to integrate regions of stiffness with cushioning layers. In some cases, the sole structure can include at least two independent stability layers that differ in stiffness.

Abstract: A liquid hummingbird feeder is provided with a liquid container having a sealable top opening and a bottom opening, a liquid tray adapted to immerse the bottom opening in liquid, and a valve mechanism adapted to close the bottom opening to enable the liquid container to be filled through the sealable top opening.