Abstract: An assembly includes a first punching jaw, a second punching jaw pivotally connected to the first punching jaw, a punching stamp provided on one of the punching jaws and a punching opening provided on the other of the punching jaws, and a handheld apparatus connected to the jaws. When said handheld apparatus is actuated, the first ends of the jaws move toward each other to effect a punching process.

Abstract: Introducing ultraviolet (UV) light to interior portions of footwear alters the environment inside a shoe or other footwear to destroy microorganisms or inhibit their growth. Visible light can also be used to prevent further microorganism growth. Introducing forced air flow through the footwear removes dampness in and thereby deodorizes the footwear. A preferred embodiment comprises an adjustable shoe tree equipped with a UV germicidal light source and electronic safeguards that prevent appreciable leakage of UV radiation outside the shoe.

Abstract: A clamping device has an actuator that moves linearly and is actuated by a drive. A pivoting clamping element is operatively connected, via a toggle lever mechanism, with the actuator. The toggle lever mechanism includes a drive-side adapter and a hand lever-side adapter. The drive side adapter and hand lever side adapter can be adjusted relative to one another to define an opening angle of the clamping element. One of the adapters has a profiled bar extending in a direction of actuation. The other adapter has an insertion region to accommodate the bar. A fixing element is provided in one of the adaptors to define the location of the adapters relative to one another. The fixing element can be clamped against the profiled bar and also against an insertion region.

Abstract: A device and method for securing an animal boot to an animal's foot is taught. The device includes a pair of handles, a securing means and a pair of jaws that are pivotally attached to the pair of handles by the securing means. When the pair of jaws are in a closed position, an open end of the animal boot is attached around the sides of the pair of jaws. Squeezing the pair of handles towards each other causes the pair of jaws to extend away from each other to an open position and also causes the pair of jaws to expand the open end of the animal boot.

Abstract: Introducing ultraviolet (UV) light to interior portions of footwear alters the environment inside a shoe or other footwear to destroy microorganisms or inhibit their growth. Visible light can also be used to prevent further microorganism growth. Introducing forced air flow through the footwear removes dampness in and thereby deodorizes the footwear. A preferred embodiment comprises an adjustable shoe tree equipped with a UV germicidal light source and electronic safeguards that prevent appreciable leakage of UV radiation outside the shoe.

Abstract: A foot alignment tool is configured for aligning a foot bearing a load. The tool extends between a handle at one end and a support lever at an opposing end and is characterized in that the support lever is configured to be received under or substantially under the medial longitudinal arch or the cuboid of the foot and configured to be rotated so as translate and/or rotate the foot from the inside of the foot to the outside of the foot or from the outside of the foot to the inside of the foot by a predetermined amount about a foot heel-toe axis wherein the support lever is configured to apply a predetermined torque.

Abstract: A tool (401) is provided for adjusting the orientation of cycling cleats on cycling shoes (503). The tool includes a radius (415) having a first protrusion (405) extending therefrom; a pedal adapter (411) which is disposed on a first major surface of the radius and which releasably engages a pedal on a bicycle or cycling machine; a cleat adapter (423), disposed on a second major surface of the radius, which releasably engages a cleat on a cycling shoe and which is rotatably adjustable with respect to the radius; a second protrusion (407) which protrudes from the radius and which overlaps the first protrusion; and a handle (409) which protrudes from the cleat adapter.

Abstract: Kits, systems, methods, materials, and tools for improving footwear wearability are provided. In one aspect, a kit includes a deformable material adapted to be positioned into footwear, and a tool including a first end and a second end. The first end of the tool is adapted to engage the deformable material, move the material to a desired position in the footwear, and shape the material. The second end of the tool is adapted to engage the material and remove the material from the footwear. In another aspect, a method of improving wearabilty of footwear includes positioning a deformable material into footwear, engaging the material with a first end of a tool, moving the material to a desired portion of the footwear with the tool, and deforming the material into a desired shape with the first end of the tool.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method and system for customizing sandals comprises providing a user with a series of foot sole templates embodying varying shapes and sizes from which the user selects their foot shape; providing a second template for the selected shape with a series of possible positions for the placement of a toe strap; and manufacturing the sandal according to the user selections.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing shoes is provided that includes two or more pieces of equipment used in the customization and manufacturing of shoes and an alignment fixture that may engage with each piece of equipment by way of an alignment mounting member. The alignment fixture may secure to it a portion of a shoe, such as an upper portion, wherein the shoe portion remains in a flat position, and in a fixed relationship to the alignment fixture, throughout the various processes performed by the pieces of equipment. These processes may include, for example, printing, laser, embroidery, forming, cutting, or the like.

Abstract: Kits, systems, methods, materials, and tools for improving footwear wearability are provided. In one aspect, a kit includes a deformable material adapted to be positioned into footwear, and a tool including a first end and a second end. The first end of the tool is adapted to engage the deformable material, move the material to a desired position in the footwear, and shape the material. The second end of the tool is adapted to engage the material and remove the material from the footwear. In another aspect, a method of improving wearabilty of footwear includes positioning a deformable material into footwear, engaging the material with a first end of a tool, moving the material to a desired portion of the footwear with the tool, and deforming the material into a desired shape with the first end of the tool.

Abstract: Manufacturing and assembly of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by automated placement and assembly of shoe parts. For example, a part-recognition system analyzes an image of a shoe part to identify the part and determine a location of the part. Once the part is identified and located, the part can be manipulated by an automated manufacturing tool.

Abstract: A tool (401) is provided for adjusting the orientation of cycling cleats on cycling shoes (503). The tool includes a radius (415) having a first protrusion (405) extending therefrom; a pedal adapter (411) which is disposed on a first major surface of said radius and which releasably engages a pedal on a bicycle or cycling machine; a cleat adapter (423), disposed on a second major surface of said radius, which releasably engages a cleat on a cycling shoe and which is rotatably adjustable with respect to said radius; a second protrusion (407) which protrudes from said radius and which overlaps said first protrusion; and a handle (409) which protrudes from said cleat adapter.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a device, kit, and related method for an adhesive film for application to the sole of a shoe. More specifically, the film is easily attached to the shoe sole so that a user may decorate their shoe soles and continuously change the appearance of the soles of a single pair of shoes instead of purchasing multiple shoes of a variety of styles. It also serves as a shoe sole protector, as it covers the original sole protecting it from wear and abrasion. A cutting device to trim the film to size without trimming the shoe material is also contemplated.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing shoes is provided that includes two or more pieces of equipment used in the customization and manufacturing of shoes and an alignment fixture that may engage with each piece of equipment by way of an alignment mounting member. The alignment fixture may secure to it a portion of a shoe, such as an upper portion, wherein the shoe portion remains in a flat position, and in a fixed relationship to the alignment fixture, throughout the various processes performed by the pieces of equipment. These processes may include, for example, printing, laser, embroidery, forming, cutting, or the like.

Abstract: A method for naturally adapting the outline of a footwear sole made of a deformable material is described. A sole with modified profile obtained according to the method and a basic kit for partially carrying out said method are also described.

Abstract: A foot alignment tool is configured for aligning a foot bearing a load. The tool extends between a handle at one end and a support lever at an opposing end and is characterized in that the support lever is configured to be received under or substantially under the medial longitudinal arch or the cuboid of the foot and configured to be rotated so as translate and/or rotate the foot from the inside of the foot to the outside of the foot or from the outside of the foot to the inside of the foot by a predetermined amount about a foot heel-toe axis wherein the support lever is configured to apply a predetermined torque.

Abstract: Device for the replacement of the removable heel provided with pulling engagement devices in a shoe with removable heel including, associated to the heel-holding sole, a first engagement plate with hooking seats provided with guide slot and guide opening for the engagement of the head of a pulling pin as well as of a first engagement wall and a second engagement wall among which the guide opening is arranged, being the first engagement plate provided with an engagement pin and at least one guide seat, being a second engagement plate joined to the upper part of the removable heel and equipped with pulling pins, provided with head and spring, being the second engagement plate, for the association to the first engagement plate, provided with at least one small peg, through seats and through opening.

Abstract: There is provided a shoe bottom repair agent consisting of one-component thermosetting composition comprising as main ingredients a terminal isocyanate having urethane prepolymer and/or a polyisocyanate compound and a latent curing agent. This shoe bottom repair agent is free from, experienced in use of solvent base shoe bottom repair agents, safety and sanitation problems such as odor and inflammation by solvent evaporated at the time of curing as well as cured matter thickness reduction of a mended part caused by solvent evaporation. With use of this shoe bottom repair agent, damaged shoe bottom portion can be mended to a desired shape through one-time repair work. Short-time curing can be effected by heating. Further, before heating, there is substantially no viscosity increase and no surface film is formed to avoid adhesion of a film resulting from surface drying to a spatula. Therefore, the repair surface can be finished smoothly and neatly.

Abstract: There is provided a shoe bottom repair agent consisting of one-component thermosetting composition comprising as main ingredients a terminal isocyanate having urethane prepolymer and/or a polyisocyanate compound and a latent curing agent. This shoe bottom repair agent is free from, experienced in use of solvent base shoe bottom repair agents, safety and sanitation problems such as odor and inflammation by solvent evaporated at the time of curing as well as cured matter thickness reduction of a mended part caused by solvent evaporation. With use of this shoe bottom repair agent, damaged shoe bottom portion can be mended to a desired shape through one-time repair work. Short-time curing can be effected by heating. Further, before heating, there is substantially no viscosity increase and no surface film is formed to avoid adhesion of a film resulting from surface drying to a spatula. Therefore, the repair surface can be finished smoothly and neatly.

Abstract: A fixing tool for temporarily holding a midsole and a shoetree in shoe industry includes a screw base and a screw body. The screw base is formed as a hollow hob screw with both an inner thread and an outer thread. The screw body further includes a screw holder and a screw. The screw has a flat round top portion with periphery notches and is pivoted at a center thereof to allow the top portion able to make a 90° rotation. The screw base is used to be screwed into a proper position at the bottom of the shoetree. The screw of the screw body is then engaged with the respective screw base through the midsole for temporarily fixing the midsole and the shoetree. The screw holder of the screw body can be pushed aside to contact with the midsole. Unlike the conventional nail-fixing, the fixing tool of the present invention can hold the midsole and the shoetree by only screwing the screw of the screw body into the screw base.

Abstract: The invention relates to an outsole for sports shoes, particularly for shoes used for long-distance running on hard tracks. The outsole consists of a soft elastically flexible material, preferably plastics material, and is thickened rearwardly in wedge formation. In the region of the heel tread surface of the outsole, there is provided a recess which is open towards both side edges of the sole and in which a resilient elongate supporting member is fittingly insertable. Preferably a plurality of supporting members are inserted in corresponding recesses adjacent one another. The supporting members are replaceable and permit the effective sole flexibility in the region of the heel tread surface to be adapted to the individual requirements of the runner and the track.

Abstract: A hook-like tool for opening and closing the clamps on ski boots, overshoes and the like, providing leverage which is not otherwise obtainable when using the fingers. The device includes a handle member and an elongated member, the principal axis of which extends at a substantial angle relative to that of the handle member and is of a length corresponding to that of an engaged clasp.