Abstract: There is described a method of laser-processing a metal workpiece. The method generally has a step of laser-hardening a portion of the metal workpiece by momentarily exposing said portion to an out-of-focus region of a pulsed laser beam, the exposed portion heating to a given temperature and quenching thereafter, the sequence of said heating and said quenching thereby hardening said exposed portion, and a step of laser-cleaning the hardened portion by momentarily exposing said hardened portion to an in-focus region of said pulsed laser beam, thereby cleaning said hardened portion.

Abstract: A full length composite plate to be used as part of an outsole assembly in an article of footwear is disclosed. The full length composite plate comprises a composite material that has a certain percent elongation. The full length composite plate can include a heel cup for heel stability and improved traction. The full length composite plate also can include two angled portions along an arch region that provide arch support, as well as two flattened edges along the arch region to minimize or eliminate buckling. The forefoot region can be relatively flatter than the arch and heel regions, and notches are preferably included along a portion of the forefoot to increase flexibility.

Abstract: A customization system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The customization system comprises an insert system. The insert system includes an insert and a heel member. Both the insert and the heel member may be interchangeable, allowing the user to modify the article of footwear to provide a customized fit or performance optimization. An article of footwear may also include a full length composite plate to be used as part of an outsole assembly. The full length composite plate may comprise a composite material that has a certain percent elongation, and can include a heel cup for heel stability and improved traction.

Abstract: A full length composite plate to be used as part of an outsole assembly in an article of footwear is disclosed. The full length composite plate comprises a composite material that has a certain percent elongation. The full length composite plate can include a heel cup for heel stability and improved traction. The full length composite plate also can include two angled portions along an arch region that provide arch support, as well as two flattened edges along the arch region to minimize or eliminate buckling. The forefoot region can be relatively flatter than the arch and heel regions, and notches are preferably included along a portion of the forefoot to increase flexibility.

Abstract: A full length composite plate to be used as part of an outsole assembly in an article of footwear is disclosed. The full length composite plate comprises a composite material that has a certain percent elongation. The full length composite plate can include a heel cup for heel stability and improved traction. The full length composite plate also can include two angled portions along an arch region that provide arch support, as well as two flattened edges along the arch region to minimize or eliminate buckling. The forefoot region can be relatively flatter than the arch and heel regions, and notches are preferably included along a portion of the forefoot to increase flexibility.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole having a different performing lateral and medial regions. Ground engaging members, such as cleats, provide traction and one of the regions, preferably the lateral region, includes a stability member extending from the sole and spanning between a pair of adjacent ground engaging members in a heel to toe direction. The ground engaging members may have a body and a tip portion. Each tip portion may be integrally formed with all or a portion of its respective body. The medial and lateral regions include buttressing member having different characteristics and dimensions for strengthening the ground engaging members with providing enhanced flexibility.

Abstract: A full length composite plate to be used as part of an outsole assembly in an article of footwear is disclosed. The full length composite plate comprises a composite material that has a certain percent elongation. The full length composite plate can include a heel cup for heel stability and improved traction. The full length composite plate also can include two angled portions along an arch region that provide arch support, as well as two flattened edges along the arch region to minimize or eliminate buckling. The forefoot region can be relatively flatter than the arch and heel regions, and notches are preferably included along a portion of the forefoot to increase flexibility.

Abstract: A customization system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The customization system comprises an insert system. The insert system includes an insert and a heel member. Both the insert and the heel member may be interchangeable, allowing the user to modify the article of footwear to provide a customized fit or performance optimization.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper for holding a foot of a wearer and a sole having an outsole plate. Several ground engaging members extends downwardly from the outsole plate to provide traction. The outsole plate includes a flex control member composed of a superelastic shape memory material or a nickel-titanium alloy. The flex control member can be coupled to an inside surface, or bottom surface of the outsole plate. The outsole plate may include a rearfoot region, a midfoot region, and a first metatarsal head region, in which the regions generally correspond to the skeletal structure of a human foot. The flex control member extends from a medial side of the rearfoot region through the midfoot region and into the first metatarsal head region of the outsole plate. The ground engaging members may be positioned to extend from the location of the flex control member.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole having a different performing lateral and medial regions. Ground engaging members, such as cleats, provide traction and one of the regions, preferably the lateral region, includes a stability member extending from the sole and spanning between a pair of adjacent ground engaging members in a heel to toe direction. The ground engaging members may have a body and a tip portion. Each tip portion may be integrally formed with all or a portion of its respective body. The medial and lateral regions include buttressing member having different characteristics and dimensions for strengthening the ground engaging members with providing enhanced flexibility.

Abstract: An article of footwear has selectively height adjustable cleat members provided on a sole. A cleat member provided in a unit engaged with or otherwise attached to the sole. The cleat member may have a portion which extends outwardly from the sole that is positionable at one of a plurality of predetermined positions relative to the sole and includes a biasing to at least one of the predetermined positions. A cleat may include a coupling engaged with the sole and a tip that is selectively extendable and retractable via a linear movement and rotational movement relative to a remainder of a cleat so as to present a selectively variable height. The sole may include a plurality of cleats in which the cleats include a gyre-linear cleat portion adjustably positionable to lock relative to the remainder of its respective cleat between a plurality of predetermined heights. In aspect, the predetermined heights correspond to locking positions.

Abstract: An article of cleated footwear comprises an upper for holding a foot of a wearer to a sole having an outsole plate. The outsole plate includes a predetermined first metatarsal region that generally overlies the respective skeletal structure of a human foot. Several ground engaging members extend downwardly from the outsole plate to provide traction on a ground surface. The outsole plate includes a downwardly extending metatarsal head cradle located on a lateral side and a medial side of the first metatarsal region to reduce stud pressure and provide traction control. The outsole plate may include a distal phalanx region and a predetermined proximal phalanx region. A first ground engaging member is located in the distal phalanx region and a second ground engaging member is located in the proximal phalanx region for toe off movements.

Abstract: A cleated article of footwear includes a chassis assembly having a sole plate having a plurality of bosses extending from a lower surface thereof. A heel counter extends upwardly from a heel portion of the sole plate. An outer assembly is secured to the chassis assembly and includes a sole portion and an upper secured to the sole portion. A plurality of cleats extends downwardly from a lower surface of the sole portion. Each of a plurality of apertures extends downwardly into a corresponding cleat and receives a boss.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole assembly, an upper secured to the sole assembly, a heel counter secured to the upper, and a heel pad removably attached to an inner surface of the heel counter.

Abstract: An article of footwear provided with snap-fit replaceable ground-engaging members, particularly snap-fit tips, and a kit and method for altering ground-engaging characteristics of an article of footwear such as an athletic shoe. An article of footwear according to the present invention includes a sole (and/or a footplate) having at least one ground-engaging member in snap-fit engagement therewith. In particular, the ground-engaging member is engageable under the application of a non-rotational force (especially a manual force). According to one aspect of the present invention, a clearly discernible feedback (especially an audible feedback, such as a click or a snapping sound) is provided to clearly indicate engagement between the ground-engaging member and the sole.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole having a different performing lateral and medial regions. Ground engaging members, such as cleats, provide traction and one of the regions, preferably the lateral region, includes a stability member extending from the sole and spanning between a pair of adjacent ground engaging members in a heel to toe direction. The ground engaging members may have a body and a tip portion. Each tip portion may be integrally formed with all or a portion of its respective body. The medial and lateral regions include buttressing member having different characteristics and dimensions for strengthening the ground engaging members with providing enhanced flexibility.

Abstract: A soccer shoe includes an upper and a cleat assembly coupled to the upper. The cleat assembly further includes a medial support bar located on the medial side and a lateral support bar located on the lateral side. A portion of the cleat assembly located near a midfoot section of the medial support bar is stiffer than a portion of the cleat assembly located near a midfoot section of the lateral support bar. The medial support bar extends approximately from a region corresponding to the rear of the calcaneous of a properly fitted wearer to approximately the head of the first metatarsal of the wearer. The lateral support bar extends approximately from a region corresponding to the rear of the calcaneous of the wearer to approximately the head of the fifth metatarsal of the wearer. The cleat assembly is bonded to a cushioning midsole formed from heated and compressed ethylene vinyl acetate foam. The upper lacks a full-length lasting board and is bonded directly to the cushioning midsole.

Abstract: An article of footwear provided with snap-fit replaceable ground-engaging members, particularly snap-fit tips, and a kit and method for altering ground-engaging characteristics of an article of footwear such as an athletic shoe. An article of footwear according to the present invention includes a sole (and/or a footplate) having at least one ground-engaging member in snap-fit engagement therewith. In particular, the ground-engaging member is engageable under the application of a non-rotational force (especially a manual force). According to one aspect of the present invention, a clearly discernible feedback (especially an audible feedback, such as a click or a snapping sound) is provided to clearly indicate engagement between the ground-engaging member and the sole.

Abstract: An article of footwear provided with snap-fit replaceable ground-engaging members, particularly snap-fit tips, and a kit and method for altering ground-engaging characteristics of an article of footwear such as an athletic shoe. An article of footwear according to the present invention includes a sole (and/or a footplate) having at least one ground-engaging member in snap-fit engagement therewith. In particular, the ground-engaging member is engageable under the application of a non-rotational force (especially a manual force). According to one aspect of the present invention, a clearly discernible feedback (especially an audible feedback, such as a click or a snapping sound) is provided to clearly indicate engagement between the ground-engaging member and the sole.