Abstract: A last assembly includes a plurality of retractable pins and a plurality of vacuum holes, both acting to hold footwear segments to the last assembly to facilitate manufacturing of, or modification to, an article of footwear. A method of making or modifying an article of footwear includes placing footwear segments on the last assembly by associating an extension portion of at least one footwear segment with the retractable pins, modifying the footwear segments and then removing the extension portion.

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 geometry of the damping component may be configured to provide a difference of impact attenuation at specific locations of the protective pad.

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 last assembly includes a plurality of retractable pins and a plurality of vacuum holes, both acting to hold footwear segments to the last assembly to facilitate manufacturing of, or modification to, an article of footwear. A method of making or modifying an article of footwear includes placing footwear segments on the last assembly by associating an extension portion of at least one footwear segment with the retractable pins, modifying the footwear segments and then removing the extension portion.

Abstract: A last assembly includes a plurality of retractable pins and a plurality of vacuum holes, both acting to hold footwear segments to the last assembly to facilitate manufacturing of, or modification to, an article of footwear. A method of making or modifying an article of footwear includes placing footwear segments on the last assembly by associating an extension portion of at least one footwear segment with the retractable pins, modifying the footwear segments and then removing the extension portion.

Abstract: A last assembly includes a plurality of retractable pins and a plurality of vacuum holes, both acting to hold footwear segments to the last assembly to facilitate manufacturing of, or modification to, an article of footwear. A method of making or modifying an article of footwear includes placing footwear segments on the last assembly by associating an extension portion of at least one footwear segment with the retractable pins, modifying the footwear segments and then removing the extension portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for creating a foamed part. An example method includes providing a polymer processing system, providing a mold having at least one expandable mold cavity in fluid communication with the polymer processing system, mixing polymeric material and blowing agent within the polymer processing system to produce a unfoamed mixture, injecting a volume of the mixture of polymeric material and blowing agent from the polymer processing system and into the expandable mold cavity, and expanding the mold cavity to expand the unfoamed mixture within the mold cavity and form a foamed preform. Thereafter, the foamed preform may be inserted into a compression mold to press-form the foamed preform into a finished part.

Abstract: An energy absorbing receiving glove constructed with a substrate having an exterior surface and a complementary interior surface. The substrate is used in constructing a palmar portion of the glove. The glove may incorporates a gripping layer of material affixed to the exterior surface of the substrate. Further, the glove may incorporate an energy absorbing layer of material affixed to the interior surface of the substrate. Additionally, the energy absorbing layer of material may have both a first thickness in a first location and a second thickness in a second location of the substrate. In an embodiment, the energy absorbing material is a silicone gel and the gripping material is a silicone material. Additionally, the varied thicknesses of the energy absorbing material may be effective for covering a palmar side of joints located on a hand wearing the glove.

Abstract: A flexible manufacturing system can be used to fuse different layers of material together for forming an article of footwear. The system includes a base portion, an intermediate member and an upper member. The intermediate member includes a flexible membrane. The intermediate member can be sealed with the base portion and a vacuum can be provided to pull the flexible membrane over layers of material placed on the base portion. The upper member can be sealed against the intermediate member so that external pressure can be applied to the flexible membrane. The intermediate member and the upper member can be moved independently.

Abstract: A method and system for making uppers for articles of footwear is disclosed. The system comprises a last assembly as well as a pressing system for forming uppers with the last assembly. The last assembly includes a last member and a base member. The last member is inverted so that the bottom surface of the last member is oriented away from the base member.

Abstract: A last assembly includes a plurality of retractable pins and a plurality of vacuum holes, both acting to hold footwear segments to the last assembly to facilitate manufacturing of, or modification to, an article of footwear. A method of making or modifying an article of footwear includes placing footwear segments on the last assembly by associating an extension portion of at least one footwear segment with the retractable pins, modifying the footwear segments and then removing the extension portion.

Abstract: A last assembly includes a plurality of retractable pins and a plurality of vacuum holes, both acting to hold footwear segments to the last assembly to facilitate manufacturing of, or modification to, an article of footwear. A method of making or modifying an article of footwear includes placing footwear segments on the last assembly by associating an extension portion of at least one footwear segment with the retractable pins, modifying the footwear segments and then removing the extension portion.

Abstract: A last assembly includes a plurality of retractable pins and a plurality of vacuum holes, both acting to hold footwear segments to the last assembly to facilitate manufacturing of, or modification to, an article of footwear. A method of making or modifying an article of footwear includes placing footwear segments on the last assembly by associating an extension portion of at least one footwear segment with the retractable pins, modifying the footwear segments and then removing the extension portion.

Abstract: A flexible manufacturing system can be used to fuse different layers of material together for forming an article of footwear. The system includes a base portion, an intermediate member and an upper member. The intermediate member includes a flexible membrane. The intermediate member can be sealed with the base portion and a vacuum can be provided to pull the flexible membrane over layers of material placed on the base portion. The upper member can be sealed against the intermediate member so that external pressure can be applied to the flexible membrane. The intermediate member and the upper member can be moved independently.

Abstract: A flexible manufacturing system can be used to fuse different layers of material together for forming an article of footwear. The system includes a base portion, an intermediate member and an upper member. The intermediate member includes a flexible membrane. The intermediate member can be sealed with the base portion and a vacuum can be provided to pull the flexible membrane over layers of material placed on the base portion. The upper member can be sealed against the intermediate member so that external pressure can be applied to the flexible membrane. The intermediate member and the upper member can be moved independently.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for creating a foamed part. An example method includes providing a polymer processing system, providing a mold having at least one expandable mold cavity in fluid communication with the polymer processing system, mixing polymeric material and blowing agent within the polymer processing system to produce a unfoamed mixture, injecting a volume of the mixture of polymeric material and blowing agent from the polymer processing system and into the expandable mold cavity, and expanding the mold cavity to expand the unfoamed mixture within the mold cavity and form a foamed preform. Thereafter, the foamed preform may be inserted into a compression mold to press-form the foamed preform into a finished part.

Abstract: An energy absorbing receiving glove constructed with a substrate having an exterior surface and a complementary interior surface. The substrate is used in constructing a palmar portion of the glove. The glove may incorporates a gripping layer of material affixed to the exterior surface of the substrate. Further, the glove may incorporate an energy absorbing layer of material affixed to the interior surface of the substrate. Additionally, the energy absorbing layer of material may have both a first thickness in a first location and a second thickness in a second location of the substrate. In an embodiment, the energy absorbing material is a silicone gel and the gripping material is a silicone material.

Abstract: A lighting assembly comprising a housing including a front surface and a back surface, a plurality of light emitting elements on a printed circuit board (PCB) within said housing, and a reflector proximate the light emitting elements. The reflector comprises a plurality of reflective cups, wherein each reflective cup is configured to receive a respective light emitting element. The reflector is adapted to reflect light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements in accordance with a desired light distribution pattern.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a shin guard construction having a shin guard and a strap. The strap may provide a number of adjustments, such as adjusting a vertical position of strap attachment to the shin guard, a length of the strap, and/or a position of a portion of the strap in both a horizontal and/or a vertical location on a wearer's leg. Further, the strap may have an upwardly inclined orientation relative to a horizontal plane extending through the shin guard. The orientation of the strap in an upward direction may be a result of a location and/or orientation of one or more fasteners. Additionally, the orientation of the strap may be a result of the size and/or shape of the strap.