Abstract: A suspension heel is provided for use with footwear, such as high heeled shoes, to provide cushioning to the wearer. The suspension heel includes a heel shaft connected to the shoe sole and a compliant heel plug attached to the heel shaft. The shaft includes a cavity or other receptacle for receiving the compliant heel plug. The suspension heel provides cushioning as well as stability for the wearer of the footwear, while maintaining aesthetic style. A relief detail formed by the compliant heel plug and the shaft provides compliance by compressing when a force is applied. For instance, as a person walks in the shoe, ground contact applies a force to the suspension heel. The relief detail deforms or compresses in response to the force, attenuating it and providing cushioning to the wearer.

Abstract: A footwear traction device is disclosed that enhances regular or slip-resistant shoes during a slip-in-progress. The traction device includes an adhesive layer embedded with microscopic friction additives, natural or engineered, and partially covered with an epoxy resin in a design that pierces and grips the microscopic roughness of a surface and any contaminants thereon, providing emergency traction during a slip. The footwear traction device provides more than one opportunity to recover from a slip and regain traction. In the event that a fall is unavoidable, the footwear traction device provides a first and a second push back force, spreading the force of the fall over a larger area, minimizing the absolute force of the fall and providing a safer trajectory during the fall. The slip recovery method and system of the present invention offers an economical solution that reduces the financial and human toll caused by slip-and-fall accidents and deaths.

Abstract: A footwear assembly including footwear composed of (a) an upper surface adapted to a foot, (b) two protuberances, (c) a sole, and (d) a map formed on the sole. The map includes markings that define an orientation and position for mounting two protuberances on a bottom surface of the sole.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a midsole, an outsole, and at least one groove. The groove includes a macro groove and at least one micro groove located within the macro groove. The macro groove may be formed by an indentation or area of reduced thickness in the sole structure. The micro groove may be formed by an indentation or area of reduced thickness in a surface of the macro groove.

Abstract: Presented is a motorcycle riding footwear sole comprising a projection suitable for engaging the underside of a motorcycle foot peg so as to prevent vertical movement of the sole relative to the foot peg.

Abstract: An outer sole for a golf shoe includes a plurality of cleats distributed along a forefoot area and a heel area. The cleats are integrated with the outer sole and extend from a surface of the outer sole that faces away from the shoe. The plurality of cleats includes at least a larger sized set of cleats and a smaller sized set of cleats. Such outer sole for a golf shoe gives good traction on the golf course but is also useable as a casual shoe off the golf course.

Abstract: The present invention is a bifunctional, high-heeled dancer's shoe with the flexibility and strength to allow the dancer to go from standing on the heel to an on pointe position (standing on the toes). The shoe has the capacity to adjust, in order to provide the dancer the ability to combine dance moves from multiple dance styles with ballet. The shoe is composed of a hard front toe box, a half front shank attached to the front box that thins out in the middle of the foot, a partial metal shank that extends from the back of the shoe into the arch, a plastic high heel, a leather outer sole, and a closed satin and fabric body with an adjustable elastic thread on the top of the foot.

Abstract: A foldable footwear for easy storage, comprising an upper; an insole having a top surface and a bottom surface; the insole defining a first folding member comprising a U-shaped indentation in the top surface; a padding layer positioned on the top surface of the insole; and an outsole attached to the bottom surface of the insole and the upper, the outsole defining a second folding member, wherein the first and second folding members are positioned at an approximate middle section of the footwear and act together to ease folding of the footwear.

Abstract: An article of footwear including an upper formed of a flexible upper material and a sole formed of a flexible sole material, wherein the sole is rolled, folded, or collapsed onto itself to reduce the volume of the article of footwear. The article of footwear in a collapsed state can then be packaged in a container. This container can be dispensed by a vending machine in a convenient urban area.

Abstract: An article of footwear with a hydroplaning-resistant outsole and camouflaged toe cap is disclosed. In one example, an article of footwear includes an outsole with a ground contacting surface including a first and second plurality of angled channels angled relative to longitudinal and lateral axes of the footwear. Each angled channel in the first plurality of angled channels extends from the toe to an outer edge of a mid-foot region of the outsole, and each angled channel in the second plurality of angled channels extends from a back portion of the heel to a front portion of the heel. The ground contacting surface also includes a plurality of lateral waved grooves intersecting the first and second plurality of angled channels, and a plurality of lateral waved sipes intersecting the plurality of lateral waved grooves and the first and second plurality of angled channels.

Abstract: Embodiments of an article of footwear may include a semi-rigid base having a size and shape corresponding to a foot of a user and configured to be coupled to the foot of the user; and a first spring and a second spring coupled to the semi-rigid base, each of the first spring and the second spring including a top portion coupled to the semi-rigid base; a torsion spring; and a bottom portion configured to interface with the ground, wherein the torsion spring couples the top portion to the bottom portion, and wherein each of the first spring and second spring is coupled to the semi-rigid base such that the torsion spring is disposed proximate a center portion of the semi-rigid base and the top portion and bottom portion of each of the first spring and second spring extend towards a respective front portion and rear portion of the semi-rigid base.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper. The sole structure has a peripheral area and a central area located inward from the peripheral area. The upper is for receiving a foot of a wearer and has an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer extends from a throat area of the upper to a lower area of the upper, and the outer layer is secured at the peripheral area of the sole structure. The inner layer is located inward of the outer layer and extends from the throat area to the lower area. The inner layer lays adjacent to the outer layer, and the inner layer is (a) secured at the central area of the sole structure and (b) unsecured between the throat area and the central area of the sole structure.

Abstract: An article of footwear having a sole structure with openings formed therethrough is disclosed. The article of footwear includes an upper for receiving a foot of a wearer and a sole structure attached to the upper and positioned generally below the foot. The sole structure has at least one opening formed therein that extends through the sole structure. The at least one opening formed through the sole structure exposes the plantar surface of the foot of the wearer to a ground surface when the article of footwear is worn by the wearer, and is constructed so as to allow contact between the plantar surface of the foot and the ground surface.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly has an upper plate and a lower plate in a forefoot portion of the sole assembly, and a plurality of lower plate arms curving downwardly from the upper plate.

Abstract: A working boots includes an upper having a front portion and a rear portion, a sole having a toe portion corresponding to the front portion, a heel portion corresponding to the rear portion of the upper and a protection plate extending upright from the heel portion and surrounding an outer periphery of the heel portion and a seam securely sandwiched between the upper and the sole via stitches and surrounding an outer periphery of the front portion of the upper.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper, an outsole, and a midsole. The upper is configured to receive a foot, and the outsole is secured to the upper. The outsole defines a plurality of apertures extending entirely through the outsole. In addition, the outsole has a ground-engaging surface positioned at a first elevation. The midsole is positionable such that a lower surface of the midsole extends into the apertures of the outsole and is exposed by the apertures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shoe cover to adaptively fit over a shoe. The show cover has a sole, which includes at least two rigid bands of rigid material, disposed on the bottom of the sole and arranged in spaced relation to each other on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the sole, thereby rigidifying the sole. The sole also has an elastic band of the flexible material, spanning longitudinally between the two rigid bands from the front to the rear of the sole, thereby enabling lateral flexibility to adapt to a shoe. The present invention also provides a rigid L-shaped element, each including a first portion on the ground side, a second portion on the side wall, and a fulcrum joining them, to clamp an inserted shoe. A double injection method for producing the above is also provided.

Abstract: Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include cleat structures, strapping systems, sole structures, and/or improved natural motion characteristics are described. Also, methods for making such articles of footwear (and particularly sole structures for articles of footwear) are described.

Abstract: An article of footwear is provided having an elevated plate structure incorporated in the sole structure and optionally including a fluid-filled chamber. The elevated plate structure can include an upper plate and a plurality of legs extending downward toward the outsole. End portions of the legs can engage an upper region of the outsole. The elevated plate structure can form a cage region that can optionally include a fluid-filled chamber substantially disposed therein. The elevated plate structure can further include a lower plate disposed at an upper region of the outsole, which can form a lower portion of the cage region. Portions of the legs can be integrated with impact-attenuating members in the heel region in various configurations and can provide features for the impact-attenuating members, such as support, impact-attenuation and adjustable impact-attenuation features.

Abstract: A shoe sole structure includes a midsole body that extends from the heel region to the forefoot region of a shoe and an outsole that is attached to the midsole body. The outsole includes a plurality of protrusions arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis of the shoe, while extending at least partially between the lateral edge and the medial edge of the shoe. One or more of the half tube structures can include grooves and/or projections to enhance traction on a contact surface.

Abstract: A footwear sole structure may include a plurality of discrete sole elements defined by a plurality of sipes. The sipes may include a plurality of sipes that extend in a direction extending from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure and be rearwardly angled. Those sipes may be located in a midfoot region. The sole structure may include a plurality of additional sipes having longitudinal, transverse and other orientations.

Abstract: A footwear assembly structured to require adjustments to the foot and/or leg of a wearer in order to maintain stability while standing, walking, etc. The footwear assembly includes an upper, an outer sole and an inner sole. The outer sole includes a hollow interior substantially filled by a plurality of unconnected, substantially non-deformable particles. Foot pressure applied to the outer sole will result in a movement of the plurality of particles, wherein the resiliency of the shell will allow it to assume a variety of different configurations dependent at least in part on the portion of the outer sole to which the foot pressure is applied. The tendency of the outer sole to assume a variety of different configurations will, in some circumstances, require a wearer to adjust the corresponding foot and/or leg in order to maintain normal stability, at least when foot pressure is applied to the outer sole.

Abstract: An article of footwear with an outer member including slots that increase flexibility is disclosed. The outer member also includes an inner plate including a set of protective strips. The inner plate is disposed along an inner surface of the outer member so that the protective strips are aligned with and cover the slots in the outer member.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper that at least in part defines an interior chamber for receiving a foot; an insertable interior midsole component received within the interior chamber; and an exterior sole structure engaged with the upper, wherein the exterior sole structure includes: (a) an exterior midsole component and (b) optionally an outsole component that extends under the forefoot region, wherein the insertable interior midsole component is formed from a foam material comprising a reaction product of about 10 to about 100 phr hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer, 0 to about 40 phr modified hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer, and 0 to about 90 phr alpha olefin copolymer, and at least one additive in an amount suitable to form the foam material; wherein the density of the foam material is less than 0.25 g/cm3.

Abstract: A shoe sole includes a mid sole, and a reinforcing member reinforcing a portion of the mid sole, wherein the member (2) extends over an area from a mid foot part (12) to a rear foot part (13), the member (2) including: a rod-shaped or strip-shaped main bar (21) provided along a line that is at the center of the foot; mid foot medial blades (22) and (23) and mid foot lateral blades (24 and 25) extending from the bar (21) in the part (12); a plurality of rear foot blades (26a and 26b) extending from the bar (21) in the part (13), wherein the blades (22 to 26b) are integral with the bar (21), the blades (22 to 25) are attached to a lower surface of the mid sole, and at least a portion of each of the blades (26a and 26b) is buried in the part (13).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a molded shoe featuring a three dimensional figure design (e.g., of an animal or character). The shoe has a sole having a bottom surface that comprises a series of projections and recesses that form a print of an animal or character, to thereby obtain an imprinting surface; and an upper, attached to the sole, having an outer surface that comprises a series of projections and recesses that form a three dimensional figure design. The sole and upper are substantially formed from molded plastic; the projections and recesses of the animal imprinting surface allow one wearing the shoe to make imprints on a soft surface, and the three dimensional figure on the outer surface of the upper relates to the print of the imprinting surface. The methods of the present invention further include making imprints with the bottom surface of the shoe.

Abstract: Cycling footwear structure including a composite sole formed by at least one base sole and by at least one substantially annular shaped stiffening element, equipped with a front part, and with a back part and that extends progressively upwards until it wraps around at least one portion of the heel of a user and a method for making it.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a shoe assembly comprises a vamp and a sole. The vamp includes a middle section, and the vamp and the middle section are formed of a continuous piece of a first molded material. The vamp also includes a first aperture and a second aperture. The sole includes a forefoot section and a heel section that are joined by a midfoot section. The forefoot section, the heel section, and the midfoot section are formed of a continuous piece of a second molded material. The second molded material is an EVA-based material. The first aperture of the vamp receives a part of the forefoot section and the second aperture receives a part of the heel section. When the shoe assembly is placed on a flat surface, the forefoot section is in direct contact with the flat surface.

Abstract: Footwear includes an upper, a sole, a cavity, a location determining device, a wireless communication device, a communication antenna, a first electrical conductor, a location signal antenna, a second electrical conductor, and a bus cable. The cavity is formed in the sole and includes a first portion located on a bottom heel region of the sole and a second portion located on a rear heel region of the sole. The location determining device and the wireless communication device are disposed in the first portion of the cavity. The communication antenna and the location signal antenna are mounted in the second portion of the cavity. The bus cable includes a first end that is electrically coupled to the location determining device and a second end that is mounted in the second portion of the cavity.

Abstract: An article of footwear with a pivot portion including a plurality of flex grooves is disclosed. The plurality of flex grooves provides increased flexibility in different portions of a sole of the article. In addition, a periphery of the sole includes sole pods to increase the traction on the periphery of the sole.

Abstract: An outsole for an article of footwear including a plurality of laterally extending walls where each pair of adjacent walls defines a channel. The outsole also includes a plurality of receptacles between the adjacent walls where the channel extends across each of the receptacles.

Abstract: Golf shoes include one or more of the following: (a) a foot stabilizer system that interacts with a shoe securing system to securely engage and/or wrap around a foot of a wearer; (b) a natural motion sole, optionally including flex grooves that allow a weight transfer from back-to-front and/or from side-to-side; (c) a six cleat configuration (e.g., four cleats in a forefoot region, two cleats in a heel region, and no cleats located directly under a big toe); (d) a forefoot moderator plate positioned to moderate or reduce user feel of the forefoot cleats; (e) a lateral half heel counter extending from a rear heel area to a lateral midfoot or lateral forward heel area of the shoe; and/or (f) one or more medial, forefoot, sidewall traction elements at or near a big toe area of the sole.

Abstract: Golf shoes include one or more of the following: (a) a foot stabilizer system that interacts with a shoe securing system to securely engage and/or wrap around a foot of a wearer; (b) a natural motion sole, optionally including flex grooves that allow a weight transfer from back-to-front and/or from side-to-side; (c) a six cleat configuration (e.g., four cleats in a forefoot region, two cleats in a heel region, and no cleats located directly under a big toe); (d) a forefoot moderator plate positioned to moderate or reduce user feel of the forefoot cleats; (e) a lateral half heel counter extending from a rear heel area to a lateral midfoot or lateral forward heel area of the shoe; and/or (f) one or more medial, forefoot, sidewall traction elements at or near a big toe area of the sole.

Abstract: An article of footwear including a sole assembly with a bottom surface adapted to extend only to a medial portion of a user's foot is provided. An upper portion of the article of footwear includes a periphery that is partially secured to the sole assembly. The upper portion and the sole assembly define a cavity that is adapted to receive a portion of the user's foot which leaves the heel of the user's foot unsupported by the sole assembly. The cavity has a length and a width, with the width being at least 65% of the length. An attachment assembly is secured to the sole assembly.

Abstract: Textile Components, such as upper members for articles of footwear, include: (a) a first portion having a first edge, wherein the first edge includes a first portion of material engaged with a first seam support material via a first thermoplastic material; (b) a second portion having a second edge, wherein the second edge includes a second portion of material engaged with a second seam support material via a second thermoplastic material; and (c) structure to engage the first and second edges in an abutting edge joint (such as a zig-zag stitch). The resulting textile components may be lightweight and breathable (e.g., due to use of lightweight upper fabric), having a comfortable fit (e.g., due to the abutting edge joint), while still providing a strong, stable, and durable construction (e.g., due to the presence of the seam support member(s)).

Abstract: A method and system harnesses human movement and activities into a renewable resource to generate electricity by wearing a plurality of electricity generating devices on articles of apparel, such as footwear. The generated energy can be stored in an energy storage device, such as a battery or a bank of ultra-capacitors, or the like. This stored energy can be periodically transferred to charge small devices and appliances. The technologies used, separately or in combination, include electromagnetic induction, piezoelectric, solar, and thermopiles. When used in footwear, as a person walks, they can generate electricity without noticing anything different from conventional walking, where electricity is not generated.

Abstract: A waterproof breathable sole for shoes, which comprises, for at least part of its extension, at least two structural layers, a lower one provided with a supporting structure so as to form the tread, and an upper one that is permeable to water vapor. The lower layer has portions that are open onto the upper layer. A coating obtained by means of a plasma deposition treatment for waterproofing is provided on the upper layer. A layer is thus obtained that has structural functions and characteristics of resistance to damage and is at the same time waterproof and breathable.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear is provided. The sole structure extends longitudinally from a back edge to a front edge of the article of footwear and transversely from a medial side to a lateral side of the article of footwear. The sole structure includes an outsole having a ground-contacting layer. A first rib projects upward from the ground-contacting layer. The rib has side walls and an end wall. A channel is defined by the side walls and end wall. The channel opens downward through the ground-contacting layer and has a depth extending above the ground-contacting layer. The rib may have a multi-stage vertical stiffness profile. The sole structure may include a midsole attached to the outsole. An article of footwear having the sole structure attached to an upper is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe having a set of genuine leather vamp with a piece of vigorous material leather insole connected to an underside thereof and an embodied systematic infrastructure bracket indistinctly, with its whole bracket shape in normal/partially-thinned piece or sectional bracket shape in dual pieces buried over the inside of a shoe's outsole made of thermo-plastic rubber (TPR) or other materials; and the bracket the subject matter utility of the claimed invention is designed and made with its peripheral shape complying with outsole's configuration, and itself or its inward arrangements may be produced as to the different beams that such as the globular, vertical, horizontal and oblique beams, and as to the varied hollowed apertures, and as to the varied shaped grips, demonstrating the equilibrium, stability and security of whole bracket itself.

Abstract: A shoe and boot, particularly for post-surgery, diabetic, or post-trauma use. It is intended to be worn by a patient who has a wound located on the forefoot and midfoot regions of the foot. An upper assembly and a lower assembly including a raised platform and a base platform. The raised platform has less longitudinal extent than the base platform. A gap is formed when a foot rests primarily upon the raised platform between the base platform and the bottom of the foot. A removable soft, cushioning insert may be placed into the gap. The inset can vary in height and density in order to provide optimum comfort throughout the various stages of the healing process.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an article of footwear including an upper configured to receive a foot and a sole component fixedly attached to a bottom portion of the upper. The sole component may include a baseplate having a bottom surface and at least a first ground engaging member extending substantially downward from the bottom surface of the baseplate, and a first elongate support member extending substantially downward from the bottom surface of the baseplate, abutting the first ground engaging member at a side portion, and extending horizontally from the side portion of the first ground engaging member. The first support member may have a downward facing surface with a first facet and a second facet, wherein each of the first facet and the second facet are angled at different non-horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A traction element arrangement for a sole structure of an article of footwear is described. Traction elements include cut step features. Cut step features provide a traction element with a stepped height. Cut step features on medial rotational traction elements that have a plurality of stud elements arranged in a circular grouping include arc-shaped or straight cuts. Cut step features on traction elements disposed in a heel region are aligned laterally across the sole structure. Traction elements also include raised platform members. Cut step features can be combined with raised platform members.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an article of footwear including an upper configured to receive a foot and a sole component fixedly attached to a bottom portion of the upper. The sole component may include a baseplate having a bottom surface and at least a first ground engaging member extending substantially downward from the bottom surface of the baseplate and a plurality of elongate support members extending substantially downward from the bottom surface of the baseplate, abutting the first ground engaging member at a side portion, and extending horizontally from the side portion of the first ground engaging member. At least two of the plurality of support members may be disposed on opposite sides of the first ground engaging member and are substantially parallel with one another, but not aligned with one another.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper configured to receive a foot and a sole component fixedly attached to a bottom portion of the upper. The sole component may include a baseplate having a bottom surface and at least a first ground engaging member extending substantially downward from the bottom surface of the baseplate. The sole component may also include a plurality of elongate support members extending substantially downward from the bottom surface of the baseplate, abutting the first ground engaging member at a side portion, and extending horizontally from the side portion of the first ground engaging member; wherein three or more support members of the plurality of support members are unevenly spaced about the ground engaging member. The spaces between the unevenly spaced support members may be devoid of additional support members, and the three or more support members may be independent of other ground engaging members.

Abstract: A resistance training footwear comprises a tension bearing connector to removably couple with an elastic resistance band. The resistance training footwear may be a resistance training shoe having a tension bearing connector fixed to an outsole of the shoe, a resistance training shoe having a tension bearing connector fixed to an upper of the shoe, a resistance training sandal having a tension bearing connector fixed to an outsole of the sandal, or a resistance training sandal having a tension bearing connector fixed to straps of the sandal, for example.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, with a cushioning system comprising a lower sole element and an upper sole element. The cushioning system further comprises at least one lever having at least two arms where an angle ? between the arms lies within the range 0°<?<180°. The first arm is connected to a deformation element and the second arm is connected to one of the two sole elements, wherein the lever is pivotably arranged at the other sole element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a health shoe having an arc type stretching body to be formed apart from a front end and a rear end of a shoe sole with a predetermined distance apart, which is capable of doing stretching exercises at the stable status because 5 the arc type stretching body is supported by the front end or the rear end in contact with the ground when doing exercises in forward flexion or backward extension postures.

Abstract: A shoe construction utilizing a gas containing chamber as a cushion. The shoe includes a stabilizer positioned in the shoe and having a heel portion in overlying relation to the cushion and a forward portion in overlying relation to at least a midfoot portion of the shoe bottom. The forward portion extends across a substantial portion of the inside width of the shoe where it is located to resist deformation of the shoe bottom under load from a user both in lateral bending and longitudinal torsion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for forming an insole, able to be introduced into a shoe. It also relates to a shoe equipped with such a device. This device (1) comprises: two modules (2, 3) made of thermoformable material which is flexible, elastic and fluid-tight, such as to gas, liquid or gel, said modules consisting of at least one cavity (6, 7) able to contain said fluid; at least one channel (8) connecting at least two cavities. At least one duct (11) is arranged on the module in order to inject into or evacuate from the cavity a quantity of fluid, such as gas, liquid or gel (16) located inside the cavity.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a sports shoe (10) having an upper part (12) configured to receive the foot (14) of a wearer and a sole arrangement (16) which is inclined so as to reduce in height in a forwards direction, wherein the sole arrangement (16) includes a rigid portion (40) and a compressible portion (28) where the rigid portion (40) is thinner than the compressible portion (28) and, in use, is provided between the compressible portion (28) and the foot (14) of the wearer, wherein further the rigid portion (40), in use, is provided beneath the heel (22), lateral aspect of the mid foot, the fifth metatarsal bone (52) and the fifth metatarsal joint (34) of the foot (14) of the wearer.