Abstract: A system for securing shoes to the feet using a single pull shoe closure arrangement. Each of the various embodiments utilizes a “transverse strap” arrangement that extends between the lateral and medial sides of the shoe across the tongue or top portion of the shoe. The transverse strap is a single, generally flat, strap extending from one side of the shoe across the top portion of the shoe to the opposite side where it joins with a single pull sub-system. The preferred embodiments use a single pull system oriented longitudinally along one side of the shoe to draws upon one end of the transverse strap configuration to affect the shoe closure. Alternate embodiments pull a shorter draw strap laterally to a point of securement on the side of the shoe below the tongue area without the need for a longitudinal pull motion.

Abstract: A system for securing shoes to the feet using a one or two pull shoe closure arrangement. Each embodiment of the system uses a squared-cord arrangement that extends between the lateral and medial sides of the shoe. The various embodiments arrange either one or two draw straps connected to one or more squared-cord portions to draw in and tighten the sides of the squared-cord arrangement. A single pull strap in a first embodiment is redirected from a lateral orientation to a longitudinal orientation where it is drawn back and secured on the heel portion of the shoe. Alternate embodiments pull two parallel shorter draw straps laterally to points of securement on the sides of the shoe. Further alternate embodiments pull a draw strap longitudinally along a midline at the top of the shoe to a point of securement back onto the squared-cord arrangement.

Abstract: A system for securing shoes to the feet using a one pull shoe closure arrangement. Each embodiment of the system uses a squared-cord arrangement that extends between the lateral and medial sides of the shoe. The various embodiments arrange a single draw strap connected to one or more squared-cord portions to draw in and tighten the sides of the squared-cord arrangement. A single pull strap in a first embodiment is redirected from a lateral orientation to a longitudinal orientation where it is drawn back and secured on the heel portion of the shoe. Alternate embodiments pull a shorter draw strap laterally to a point of securement on the side of the shoe. Further alternate embodiments pull a draw strap longitudinally along a midline at the top of the shoe to a point of securement back onto the squared-cord arrangement.

Abstract: A system for securing shoes to the feet using a one pull shoe closure arrangement. Each embodiment of the system uses a squared-cord arrangement that extends between the lateral and medial sides of the shoe. The various embodiments arrange a single draw strap connected to one or more squared-cord portions to draw in and tighten the sides of the squared-cord arrangement. A single pull strap in a first embodiment is redirected from a lateral orientation to a longitudinal orientation where it is drawn back and secured on the heel portion of the shoe. Alternate embodiments pull a shorter draw strap laterally to a point of securement on the side of the shoe. Further alternate embodiments pull a draw strap longitudinally along a midline at the top of the shoe to a point of securement back onto the squared-cord arrangement.

Abstract: A ventilated shoe sole construction provides improved ventilation in the sole area of a shoe or boot, while preserving comfort and protection of the foot, as well as added support to the arch of the shoe wearer. It employs four principal components: (1) a footbed through which air may pass; (2) a sockliner through which air may pass; (3) a channeled midsole or outsole; and (4) and an air intake/exhaust device mating and communicating with the channels in the midsole or outsole to allow outside air to pass into the sole and then into the area adjacent the wearer's foot, and in turn to allow air to exhaust from the foot area, through the sole, and then to the outside of the shoe.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multi-layer, composite footwear upper having a three-dimensional geometry includes the steps of forming a substantially planar composite sheet from two or more layers, heating the composite sheet, and compression molding the composite sheet into the three-dimensional geometry of the footwear upper. The composite sheet is formed by laminating a first layer of thermoplastic foam to a second layer of thermoplastic urethane (TPU), preferably in the form of a TPU film. A third layer of mesh fabric can be interposed between the first and second layers. The composite sheet is compressed after heating in a mold cavity to achieve the desired three-dimensional geometry. The composite sheet can be compression molded into separate sections which are assembled after molding to form the footwear upper. Alternatively, the composite sheet can be compression molded into a seamless, unitary footwear upper that requires minimal, if any, assembly for completion.

Abstract: A strapping system for footwear comprises a strap (1) that has a first end (3) connected to a first side of a heel portion (12) of footwear, passes over the instep of a foot, through a channel (31) extending through the midfoot of the footwear sole and back over the foot instep to thereby forming an X shape over the wearer's foot. The strap (1) has a second end (11) which may be adjustably connected to the second side of a heel portion (12) of a sole. The channel (31) is resilient and rigid so as to allow the strap freedom of movement during use: thereby achieving a dynamic and self adjusting strap fit. A footwear sole comprises relatively soft forefoot and heel portions with a more rigid shank portion therebetween to provide the sole with stiffness and torsional rigidity.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multi-layer, composite footwear upper having a three-dimensional geometry includes the steps of forming a substantially planar composite sheet from two or more layers, heating the composite sheet, and compression molding the composite sheet into the three-dimensional geometry of the footwear upper. The composite sheet is formed by laminating a first layer of thermoplastic foam to a second layer of thermoplastic urethane (TPU), preferably in the form of a TPU film. A third layer of mesh fabric can be interposed between the first and second layers. The composite sheet is compressed after heating in a mold cavity to achieve the desired three-dimensional geometry. The composite sheet can be compression molded into separate sections which are assembled after molding to form the footwear upper. Alternatively, the composite sheet can be compression molded into a seamless, unitary footwear upper that requires minimal, if any, assembly for completion.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multi-layer, composite footwear upper having a three-dimensional geometry includes forming a substantially planar composite sheet from two or more layers, heating the composite sheet, and shaping the composite sheet into the three-dimensional geometry of the footwear upper. The composite sheet can be formed by laminating a first layer of thermoplastic foam to a second layer of thermoplastic urethane (TPU). A third layer of mesh fabric can be interposed between the first and second layers. The composite sheet can be shaped by compression molding in a mold cavity or by lasting to achieve the desired three-dimensional geometry.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multi-layer, composite footwear upper having a three-dimensional geometry includes the steps of forming a substantially planar composite sheet from two or more layers, heating the composite sheet, and compression molding the composite sheet into the three-dimensional geometry of the footwear upper. The composite sheet is formed by laminating a first layer of thermoplastic foam to a second layer of thermoplastic urethane (TPU), preferably in the form of a TPU film. A third layer of mesh fabric can be interposed between the first and second layers. The composite sheet is compressed after heating in a mold cavity to achieve the desired three-dimensional geometry. The composite sheet can be compression molded into separate sections which are assembled after molding to form the footwear upper. Alternatively, the composite sheet can be compression molded into a seamless, unitary footwear upper that requires minimal, if any, assembly for completion.

Abstract: A footwear heel stabilizing construction comprising an upper portion, a midsole fitted to said upper and having a heel cushion portion in said midsole, said heel cushion embraced in a frame in which the frame has a series of cushion retaining finger elements surrounding said cushion to retain said cushion in a configuration presented to the bottom of said footwear upper portion, and an outsole secured to said midsole to provide a walking surface for the footwear.

Abstract: A composite midsole for shoes comprising an energy absorbing cellular foam cushion having recesses extending inwardly from its undersurface, thermally bonded to a sheet of resilient material extending over the undersurface and into the recesses to form domes of the resilient material. Impact energy is partially absorbed by compression of the cushion and partially transmitted to cause spring-like deflection of the domes. The combined effect is selectively variable over the area of the midsole to produce the desired cushioning properties in localized areas of the midsole.

Abstract: Footwear including an upper and a sole with a plurality of cleats extending from the sole arranged in groupings of cleats adapting the footwear to field sports. A control device extends upwardly of the sole around the heel, a pair of spines extend along the sole between cleats of a grouping of cleats within the region of the ball and heel of the foot, and a flex area is provided in the sole in the general off-center alignment of the heads of the metatarsal bones.