Abstract: The invention pertains to a footwear stretcher apparatus comprising: two spacer blocs separated by a wedge-shaped gap and configured to be inserted inside walls of a footwear; an actuator; and a wedge, driven by the actuator, and configured to change a spacing of the wedge-shaped gap proportional to a stroke of the actuator, thus stretching the walls of the footwear.

Abstract: An article includes a receptacle defining an interior void and an adjustment element attached to the receptacle. The adjustment element includes bladder defining one or more chambers each having a compressible component disposed therein. The adjustment element is operable between a contracted configuration providing the receptacle with a first size and an expanded configuration providing the receptacle with a second size different than the first size by adjusting a pressure within the one or more chambers.

Abstract: There is provided a user-dedicated last that can be easily manufactured without using large-scale equipment. A last for forming a footwear upper configuring an article of footwear comprises a foot length forming member defining a shape of the last at least in the lengthwise direction of the article of footwear, and a plurality of foot width forming members defining a shape of the last at least in the widthwise direction of the article of footwear and assembled to the foot length forming member.

Abstract: An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the article of footwear are disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. The textile element may have apertures formed by omitting stitches and non-textile elements on the lateral side and in the heel area. Various warp or weft knitting processes, including flat knitting, may be utilized to form the textile element.

Abstract: An article of footwear can include a braided upper. The structure of the braided upper may be manufactured using an article forming member and a braiding apparatus. The article forming member includes a body portion substantially similar to a last for shoemaking, as well as a flange portion that extends outward from the body portion. The article forming member moves through the braiding apparatus in varying orientations that can improve the efficiency of the braiding, enhance the braiding pattern, and enhance structural support of the braided upper.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present description, a shoe treatment device is provided having a shoe interior engagement form expandable from a latched, contracted state to an expanded state. A user operated slide actuator positioned exterior to the shoe may drive the engagement form to expand to the expanded state. The slide actuator may be actuated to contract the engagement form back to the contracted state. A latch may latch the engagement form in the selected contracted or expansion state to facilitate insertion and removal and treatment of the shoe. Other aspects are described.

Abstract: A stump sock dryer is configured to rapidly move air through a stump sock quickly drying the stump sock. The stump sock dryer includes a fan capable of moving air. Ducting is connected to the fan such that the fan moves the air through the ducting. An air delivery tube is mechanically coupled to the ducting such that the air moves through the ducting and into the air delivery tube. An air delivery nozzle is connected to the air delivery tube sufficiently sized to accommodate a stump sock. The fan can blow air through the ducting into the air delivery tube and through the air delivery nozzle into the stump sock quickly drying the stump sock.

Abstract: Inserts for boots are configured to retain the shape of the boot during storage and/or display of the boots. In some examples, an insert includes a resilient sheet and a hanging mechanism. The hanging mechanism is configured to allow selective suspension of a boot. The resilient sheet is configured to be moveable between an unrolled position, a rolled boot insertion position, and a rolled boot supporting position where at least a portion of an outer wall of the resilient sheet is abutted to at least a portion of an inner surface of the boot. In some further examples, insert includes a sleeve that substantially covers the resilient sheet.

Abstract: A resilient shoe insert includes a generally V-shaped insert body having a pair of diverging insert segments; a plurality of indentations in each of the insert segments; and a plurality of frangible portions defined by the plurality of indentations, respectively.

Abstract: A shaping apparatus for an article of footwear is provided to maintain the shape of an upper. An insertable apparatus includes a toe shaping member. A medial shaping member may engage a medial side of the upper. A lateral shaping member may engage a lateral side of the upper. The medial shaping member and lateral shaping member are resiliently disposed on the toe shaping member. A rear biasing member may be attached to the medial shaping member and the lateral shaping member.

Abstract: A shoe tree for one shoe includes a main body having a front end formed with a vamp support portion and a rear end formed with an upwardly extending rising portion and having a first side formed with a first side support portion and a second side formed with a second side support portion. Thus, the first side support portion has a shape matching that of the outer side of the shoe, and the second side support portion has a shape matching that of the inner side of the shoe so that the inner space of the shoe is supported by the main body of the shoe tree rigidly and stably, thereby preventing the shoe from being deformed due to its gravity.

Abstract: A system for custom fitting athletic shoes to an individual wearer includes a foot measurement device, an adjustable footform and an infrared activation chamber. Shoes of a single width for each length size have at least a portion of the upper made of heat malleable material to be custom fitted for width. Foot measurement data is used to calculate length size, width size and a number of custom adjustment factors. After the length size is calculated, the appropriately sized shoe and last are assembled together and subject to infrared radiation until the heat malleable material becomes plastic. Adjustments are then made to the last in accordance with the adjustment factors to provide custom width sizing. After further heat treatment to set the shoe upper and cooling, the shoe is complete. In this manner, if used in a retail setting, shoes are custom fitted to the wearer in a matter of minutes.

Abstract: A sheet of flexible and resilient polymer material is rolled into a tubular configuration and inserted into the shaft of a boot deeply enough to reach the vamp and quarters from which the shaft uses. The rolled sheet, when released, expands under the bias of its own resiliency and bears against the inside of the shaft, thus stabilizing the shaft in an upright position above the quarters and vamp. The upper end of the rolled sheet projects above the upper margin on the shaft, and here the sheet may bear a trademark or other indicia.

Abstract: A boot retainer can store boots without losing the shape. The retainer includes inner pads capable of moving to conform to the interior surface at two or more points of the boot of different sizes, and also includes a hook for suspending the retainer together with the boot.

Abstract: A shoe insert having a body formed of a recycled waste paper material. The body has a hollow interior which opens at a bottom of said body. The body has a seat formed at a rear end thereof. The seat has a through hole formed in a top planar surface of said seat. The through hole has a diameter suitable for allowing a human finger to pass thereinto.