Abstract: The present invention teaches novel men's underwear that permit the male reproductive organs to be substantially suspended naturally. This is believed to lower the temperatures to which the testes are subjected thereby increasing the rate and quality of spermatogenesis, and to facilitate greater heat dissipation. Further, this characteristic is believed to facilitate optimal thermoregulation. In addition, it is believed to positively influence the operation of sex hormones and anabolic metabolism regarding the process of adaptation and the acquisition of athletic fitness. Further, the present invention teaches novel underwear for men and women which permit relatively unrestricted flexion and extension of the legs, and distention of the abdomen during breathing, and an area of differential elastic and stitching for reducing chafing and enhancing comfort.

Abstract: The present invention teaches novel athletic shorts for male and female wearers that permit relatively unrestricted flexion and extension of the legs, and distention of the abdomen during breathing. The preferred athletic shorts can include an anterior side having a superior edge forming a V or U shape, and retention means substantially consisting of non-stretchlastic material. The athletic shorts can include a preferred range with respect to minimum width in the area between the openings for accomodating the wearer's legs, and also an area of differential elastic and stitching near the point of minimum width. Further, the present invention teaches athletic shorts that permit the male reproductive organs to be substantially suspended naturally. This is believed to lower the temperatures to which the testes are subjected thereby increasing the rate and quality of spermatogenesis, and to facilitate greater heat dissipation. Further, this characteristic is believed to facilitate optimal thermoregulation.

Abstract: The present invention teaches novel athletic pants that permit the male reproductive organs to be substantially suspended naturally, in particular, when used in combination with the novel athletic shorts taught in a co-pending application. The athletic pants include inferior retention means and a superior edge having a V shape, or alternately an arcuate or U shape for facilitating breathing during strenuous exercise on the anterior side. Further, the athletic pants can include means for dampening shock and vibration. In addition, the athletic pants can include a plurality of textile materials for optimizing the internal environment of the athletic pants with respect to temperature, perspiration, wind, and water. Moreover, the athletic pants can include pockets, vents, and vent closure means for selectively controlling the internal environment of the athletic pants.

Abstract: A horseshoe of the present invention taken in combination with a horse's foot imparts a conformance similar to that found in healthy and active horses living in a natural environment. Accordingly, a horseshoe can include an anterior and side concavities. Further, a horseshoe can include segments made of a relatively inflexible material which can be articulated relative to one another about at least one articulation point. The articulation point(s) substantially consist of a relatively flexible material which permits the foot to widen when loaded and enables the horseshoe to be easily fitted.A preferred horseshoe can also include a resilient pad for attenuating shock and vibration. The inclusion of a resilient pad is accomplished without substantially elevating the foot, thus enhancing stability and reducing the potential for injury.

Abstract: An athletic shoe has a sole with a rearfoot strike zone segmented from the remaining heel area by a line of flexion which permits articulation of the strike zone during initial heel strike of a runner. The line of flexion is located to delimit a rearfoot strike zone reflecting the heel to toe running style of the majority of the running population. In addition to allowing articulation of the rearfoot strike zone about the line of flexion, the sole incorporates cushioning elements, including a resilient gas filled bladder, to provide differential cushioning characteristics in different parts of the heel, to attenuate force applications and shock associated with heel strike, without degrading footwear stability during subsequent phases of the running cycle. The line of flexion may be formed by various means including a deep groove, a line of relatively flexible midsole material, and a relatively flexible portion of a segmented fluid bladder.

Abstract: An athletic shoe including an upper and a sole. The sole includes a cushioning bladder including a sealed, fluid-filled tube disposed about the perimeter of the shoe. In one embodiment, the bladder includes lateral and medial portions extending about the heel and forwardly towards the forefoot to define a central region occupying a substantial portion of the heel and forefoot of the shoe. No portion of the tube extends within the central region, which may be occupied by ambient air or by a second bladder or chamber which is not in fluid communication with the tube. In an alternative embodiment, the bladder includes a tube having lateral, medial and transverse portions, with the transverse portion extending between the medial and lateral portions at the instep area of the shoe, to define a central forefoot region. In a further alternative embodiment, both a central forefoot and a central heel area may be defined.

Abstract: A sole having the ability to provide both stability and cushioning includes at least one stabilizer positioned at selected locations around the perimeter of the sole. Stabilizers are positioned at perimeter locations where sudden impacts are unlikely and greater resistance to compression is needed to stabilize the running motion. The perimeter areas of the sole most likely to experience sudden impacts during running and like activities remain unencumbered of the stabilizers.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials chemically bonded together is disclosed. In one embodiment, the relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials are arranged in such a fashion to impart flexibility to the article of footwear. In particular, plastic and rubber materials are bonded together to improve the flexibility of an outsole of an article of footwear. The invention also is directed to the fabrication of new or improved devices and elements for use in articles of footwear and their associated methods of construction such as closure mechanisms comprising relatively elastic straps bonded to relatively inelastic anchor portions and vice versa, articulating inelastic and elastic exoskeleton constructions useful in skates and ski boots, and elastic or inelastic eyelets surrounded by inelastic or elastic materials.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials chemically bonded together is disclosed. In one embodiment, the relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials are arranged in such a fashion to impart flexibility to the article of footwear. In particular, plastic and rubber materials are bonded together to improve the flexibility of an outsole of an article of footwear. The invention also is directed to the fabrication of new or improved devices and elements for use in articles of footwear and their associated methods of construction such as closure mechanisms comprising relatively elastic straps bonded to relatively inelastic anchor portions and vice versa, articulating inelastic and elastic exoskeleton constructions useful in skates and ski boots, and elastic or inelastic eyelets surrounded by inelastic or elastic materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides an article of footwear having an upper and a non-clogging sole attached to the upper. The sole includes a generally planar ground engaging surface and at least one traction member or cleat projecting from the generally planar ground engaging surface. The traction member or cleat is attached with a base surface adjacent the generally planar ground engaging surface, side surfaces projecting downwards, and a tip attached at a bottom end of the traction member. At least a portion of the base surface and the side surfaces of the traction member or cleat and at least a portion of the ground engaging surface of the sole includes an adhesion prevention material having both a low coefficient of friction and a low wettability with respect to water in a preferred embodiment. However, the tip of the traction member remains substantially free of the adhesion prevention material. The adhesion prevention material has a coefficient of friction of less than 0.4, preferably between 0.1 and 0.

Abstract: An adjustment system for a shoe which permits independent adjustment of the width, footform and cushioning either between the lateral and medial sides of the shoe, or at different points along the longitudinal direction of the shoe. The present invention provides for the adjustment of the dimensions of a shoe in a plurality of discrete locations as between a nominal central point in the forefoot area of the sole and the medial and/or lateral aspects thereof. Adjustment would entail adjusting the width or girth in an associated area and the overall shape of the outline of the sole of a shoe. This is accomplished by providing a material variance in the midsole and various hardware configurations for adjusting the width of the midsole.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials chemically bonded together is disclosed. In one embodiment, the relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials are arranged in such a fashion to impart flexibility to the article of footwear. In particular, plastic and rubber materials are bonded together to improve the flexibility of an outsole of an article of footwear. The invention also is directed to the fabrication of new or improved devices and elements for use in articles of footwear and their associated methods of construction such as closure mechanisms comprising relatively elastic straps bonded to relatively inelastic anchor portions and vice versa, articulating inelastic and elastic exoskeleton constructions useful in skates and ski boots, and elastic or inelastic eyelets surrounded by inelastic or elastic materials.

Abstract: An adjustment system for a shoe which permits independent adjustment of the width, footform and cushioning either between the lateral and medial sides of the shoe, or at different points along the longitudinal direction of the shoe. The present invention provides for the adjustment of the dimensions of a shoe in a plurality of discrete locations as between a nominal central point in the forefoot area of the sole and the medial and/or lateral aspects thereof. Adjustment would entail adjusting the width or girth in an associated area and the overall shape of the outline of the sole of a shoe. This is accomplished by providing a material variance in the midsole and various hardware configurations for adjusting the width of the midsole.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials chemically bonded together is disclosed. In one embodiment, the relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials are arranged in such a fashion to impart flexibility to the article of footwear. In particular, plastic and rubber materials are bonded together to improve the flexibility of an outsole of an article of footwear. The invention also is directed to the fabrication of new or improved devices and elements for use in articles of footwear and their associated methods of construction such as closure mechanisms comprising relatively elastic straps bonded to relatively inelastic anchor portions and vice versa, articulating inelastic and elastic exoskeleton constructions useful in skates and ski boots, and elastic or inelastic eyelets surrounded by inelastic or elastic materials.

Abstract: A method for making a conformable device including a light cure material for use in functional relation with an article of footwear in order to enhance conformance or fit, support, comfort, and cushioning. The present invention can serve to accommodate the unique anatomical features and characteristics of an individual wearer and finds application within numerous types of articles footwear (44).

Abstract: An athletic shoe has a sole with a rearfoot strike zone segmented from the remaining heel area by a line of flexion which permits articulation of the strike zone during initial heel strike of a runner. The line of flexion is located to delimit a rearfoot strike zone reflecting the heel to toe running style of the majority of the running population. In addition to allowing articulation of the rearfoot strike zone about the line of flexion, the sole incorporates cushioning elements, including a resilient gas filled bladder, to provide differential cushioning characteristics in different parts of the heel, to attenuate force applications and shock associated with heel strike, without degrading footwear stability during subsequent phases of the running cycle. The line of flexion may be formed by various ways including a deep groove, a line of relatively flexible midsole material, and a relatively flexible portion of a segmented fluid bladder.

Abstract: An athletic shoe including an upper and a sole. The sole includes a cushioning bladder including a sealed, fluid-filled tube disposed about the perimeter of the shoe. In one embodiment, the bladder includes lateral and medial portions extending about the heel and forwardly towards the forefoot to define a central region occupying a substantial portion of the heel and forefoot of the shoe. No portion of the tube extends within the central region, which may be occupied by ambient air or by a second bladder or chamber which is not in fluid communication with the tube. In an alternative embodiment, the bladder includes a tube having lateral, medial and transverse portions, with the transverse portion extending between the medial and lateral portions at the instep area of the shoe, to define a central forefoot region. In a further alternative embodiment, both a central forefoot and a central heel area may be defined.