Abstract: A spike (10) for attachment to baseball shoes has a spike body (11), a leg (14) protruding upright from the spike body and having a distal edge (14a) and an abrasion-resistant tip (20) made of a metal and having a base portion welded to the distal edge of the leg. The base portion (21) has a wedge-shaped ridge (22) pressed to an end face of the distal edge such that the base portion (21) is gripped by and between masses of a once molten and then resolidified material of the distal edge of the leg, so that the spike is abrasion resistant and durable. The distal edge (14a) may have at its middle region a cutout (16) to divide the end face into two parts to which the base portion (21) of the tip are adjoined concurrently and in the same manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a footwear insole with an integral sock lining embedded therein; and to a method of making a sample comprising: preparing a board of a material selected from the group of porous and foamed cross-linked synthetic polymers; preheating the board to at least the softening point of said material; pressing the board and stamping into it a footprint shaped cavity while cooling by a stamping device having a stamping die and a stamping die bearing pressing plate; attaching a sock lining to said footprint shaped cavity; and suitably cutting the board. The sock lining may be fastened to the stamping die bearing pressing plate. Alternatively, said plate may carry an integral stamping die and the sock lining inserted after storing.

Abstract: A recyclable shoe midsole cloth is made from a recycled waste fabric material or a recycled rejected fabric product. The recycled material or product is processed such that the threads making up the recycled material or product are rehabilitated to become raw cotton materials, which are then processed to become the recyclable shoe midsole cloth.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for inflating a bladder including a first and a second distinct chamber linked in fluid communication by an interconnecting port, and a fluid fill inlet linked in fluid communication with the first chamber. A first nozzle set at a first predetermined pressure level and connected to a first fluid pressure source is inserted in the fill inlet to thereby inflate the first and second chambers to the first predetermined pressure. The interconnecting port is sealed to isolate the first chamber from the second chamber out of fluid communication with each other such that the second chamber is isolated at the first predetermined pressure. The first nozzle is removed from the fluid fill inlet. A second nozzle set at a second predetermined pressure level and connected to a second pressure source is inserted into the fluid fill inlet to thereby inflate the first chamber to the second predetermined pressure.

Abstract: An inner boot for a ski boot which has wall portions that define the body of the inner boot. The wall portions are made from an open cell foam material. A lower portion of the inner boot includes a sealing coating of polyurethane that seals the foot of a skier against moisture and humidity. A process for manufacturing the inner boot includes degreasing the inner boot, soaking the inner boot in a polyurethane solution, removing excess polyurethane and drying the inner boot.

Abstract: A process for sewing certain pieces of a shoe together is disclosed. The shoe pieces are registered and held with respect to each other during an automatic sewing operation. In accordance with the invention, a particular shoe piece is held down with respect to the other registered pieces during only a portion of the automatic sewing operation.

Abstract: A pliable inner boot for insertion within a rigid outer shell of a ski boot is formed of resinous foam material. The inner boot is bifurcated at the front, and is provided with recesses in the vicinity of the shin region and preferably at the heel pocket. These recesses soften the feel of the inner boot at the shin and ankle regions when it is compressed by closure of the rigid outer shell.A pliable custom fitting reservoir (fit pack) is interposed between the rigid outer shell and the inner surface of the inner boot in the vicinity of the heel pocket and the instep portions of the inner boot. This reservoir may be either integral with or separate from the inner boot. It may include a conduit adapted to receive a liquid resin reaction mixture from a source remote from the ski boot. Alternatively, the fit pack may contain isolated components of a reaction mixture which are mixed by kneading just prior to use.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an article of footwear to be placed inside a ski boot, and the process of its manufacture.The process according to the invention is characterized by the fact that the article of footwear is molded in its open position, thereby permitting the inner core to be conveniently removed from the mold.

Abstract: A shoe heel made from a resilient material includes an interior cavity. Two magnetic plates of like polarity are embedded in opposed relationship within the interior cavity. The repulsive force between the magnetic plates cushions the act of walking and provides uniform support over the surface of the heel.

Abstract: An ankle pad insert for use in a boot, which covers the ankle of the wearer, including a ski boot, having a relatively stiff shell and a flexible liner disposed within said shell, the ankle pad insert being less dense than the density of the liner material and being adapted to fit in a recess located in the liner in the area where the ankle joint of a wearer contacts the liner.