Abstract: A cleated sandal for use in athletic activities comprising a flexible sole and plural attachment straps for mounting the sandal on a foot or footwear of a wearer. A plurality of cleats for contacting a ground surface extend from a bottom side of the flexible sole at its toe and heel ends. The plural attachment straps include two vertical and two horizontal attachment straps each having a bottom surface and a top surface. The bottom and top surfaces of each of the attachment straps are covered with suction mesh hairs which cling to each other when overlaid; hence, allowing portions of each strap to connect to each other to form secure loops and to tighten the sandal on the foot or footwear of the wearer. The attachment straps also are additionally connected to the sole through respective aligned buckles.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an accessory for women's shoes, particularly sandals, for enabling women with unsightly toes to disguise them behind a toe cover apparatus that may adapt to such shoes. In one embodiment, a sandal toe cover apparatus comprises a cover portion; an attachment means comprising double-sided tape having a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon for attaching the sandal toe cover apparatus to a sandal; a least one decorative element comprising a rope or a cord, on a top surface of the cover portion, positioned adjacent to the attachment means; a padding layer comprising one of a soft cloth or felt on a back surface of the sandal toe cover apparatus; and a set of patterns visually displayed on a bottom side of the sandal toe cover apparatus, for identifying lines to cut out a shape or design of the cover portion.

Abstract: Linked articles and a method for customizing the linked articles are disclosed. The linked articles comprise a first link matrix and a second link matrix comprising a first portion of the article and a second portion of the article, respectively. The first link matrix consists essentially of links of a first material and the second link matrix consists essentially of links of a second material.

Abstract: An asymmetrical shoe upper is combined in a shoe body. The shoe upper at a medial side of a foot dorsum inclines to a lateral side of the shoe upper and to a front end of a foot sole so as to form an asymmetrical design. Accordingly, when wearing the shoe body, muscles of the foot dorsum are constrained by the shoe upper. At this time, the shoe upper affects pressures applied onto the medial and lateral sides of the foot dorsum. Thereby, based on the lever principle, the foot can be automatically adjusted so as to form a specific angle such that a heel has a medial side not constrained by the shoe upper at the medial side of the heel, and an inverted ankle can be avoided.

Abstract: A sandal system kit comprising a base, wherein a slot is disposed in the base at a front edge and a track is disposed along edges of the base; a plurality of S-clips each having a first end configured to snugly hook into the track and a second end extending outwardly from the base; and a plurality of straps, wherein each strap can be secured to the base via the S-clips, via the slot, and via a first attachment means, wherein each strap can be secured in a variety of patterns according to the user's wishes; wherein a user can construct a variety of different sandals by interchanging the straps and attaching the straps to the base in various patterns.

Abstract: A sandal and strap assembly with a sole and a strap portion. The sole has three loop strap retaining members. One loop is located between the user's big toe and second toe. The second and third loops reside on the left and right side of the user's ankle. The sole comprised of a bonded upper and a lower member. Each loop protrudes through a slit in the upper member. The ends of each loop form a T shape which is trapped between the upper and lower sole member. The strap comprised of a single flexible elongate member and is threaded through the first loop in an equidistant manner. The right and left ends of the strap member are threaded through the second and third loops. The remaining ends of the strap are wrapped around the user's ankle and leg and then tied in a releasable knot.

Abstract: A foot pain relief device can advantageously provide multiple angles of inclination, directed pressure against the plantar fascia, as well as ease of manufacturing and assembly. A toe strap, which is fastened around the ankle and the toe(s), ensures that the toes are flexed up. This toe flexing tenses the plantar fascia of the foot. A ball strap can be threaded through a hole in a ball and then operatively coupled with the toe strap. When operatively coupled to the toe strap, the ball strap keeps the ball positioned on the bottom of the foot while allowing ball mobility. The mobility of the ball can provide directed pressure on at least one component of the plantar fascia. Notably, the simultaneous combination of tension to the plantar fascia and directed pressure to the component(s) of the plantar fascia can be particularly effective at relieving foot pain.

Abstract: An shoe assembly includes a sole and one or more detachable upper pieces that can be made from materials such as fabric, PVC, leather, plastic, rubber, other similar materials and combinations. The upper, in one or more pieces, is removably attached at spaced points on the sole, where nail-shaped posts are permanently mounted. The heads of the posts function as buttons or cleats for buttonholes, keyholes, edge loops or the like on the uppers. Interchangeable uppers can have different materials, shapes and decorative aspects, for quickly and efficiently changing the appearance and style of the footwear. Three posts can be provided, with a front post being inclined rearward and having a slot under the head or cleat, where the upper is attached, and lateral posts with heads turned outwardly. A variety of alternative configurations are possible for the uppers.

Abstract: Footwear, namely a shoe or sandal for a human foot fabricated from multiple interchangeable components which can be easily manufactured, assembled and manually replaced and interchanged by the user for purposes of design, repair or changing color and aesthetic coordination and/or component design combinations of the footwear.

Abstract: An article of footwear configured for prolonged casual and non-casual uses having an upper configured for easy installation and removal of the article of footwear with or without the use of fasteners, a sole, and a substantially continuous series of alternating ribs and grooves on a footbed of the sole extending from a forefoot region to a heel region. The ribs and grooves have base widths that are greater in an arch region of the footbed than the forefoot and heel regions of the footbed. The series of alternating transverse ribs and grooves are oriented from a lateral side region of the footbed to a medial side region of the footbed.

Abstract: A spike saver for attachment for protecting a spike-bearing shoe that includes a sole for protecting the bottom of the spike-bearing shoes and with two double legged elastic straps attached to the sole at each side for releasably holding the spike-bearing shoes by means of hook and loop arrangement.

Abstract: A pedicure slipper having a toe separator is provided. The pedicure slipper features a thin sole and a fabric toe separator attached to the sole at a single location. The fabric toe separator is wrapped about each toe and about itself between the toes. A tee-shaped toe-retaining member is defined by cuts through the sole and folds to an upright position to be disposed between the big toe and second toe of the wearer. An arcuate cut through the sole defines an ankle-engaging member and folds to an upright position to retain the sole to the ankle of the wearer.

Abstract: A shoe construction enables a user to attach or interchange shoe components for improving function and or appearance of the shoe construction. The shoe construction includes a base, a cover, a top attachable component, and two fasteners. The base includes a series of fastener-receiving apertures. First fastening structure surrounds the fastener-receiving apertures. The cover includes a second fastening structure matable with the first fastening structure. The top attachable component includes component ends, each of which has an end aperture and a third fastening structure, which third fastening structure surrounds the end apertures. The fasteners fasten the component ends to the base member via the end apertures and fastener-receiving apertures. The cover covers the first fastening structure, the component ends, and the fasteners. The first, second, and third fastening structures function to prevent rotation of the component ends about axes extending through the fasteners.

Abstract: A composite sole assembly for attachment to an outsole of suitable material, the sole assembly including a chassis, a forefoot pad and a heel pad. The chassis includes an opening for receiving the heel pad and further includes two peripheral flanges for securing attachment with the shoe upper. A cushioning forefoot pad is positioned between the chassis and the outsole and between the two peripheral flanges and is formed of a soft cushioned foam material. The top surface of the chassis and the heel pad define a raised area in the midfoot region and a recessed area in the heel region of the assembly to better conform to the anatomical shape of a wearer's foot. The combination of the raised and recessed areas along with the positioning of the heel and forefoot pads improves comfort and provides for a better distribution of foot pressure during a normal gait.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a slipper body with a sole (1) and a vamp (2), wherein the vamp (2) is ribbon shape and has an inner surface (22) being capable to contact with the instep and a decorative surface (21) opposite to the inner surface (22). A fixing slot (23) is arranged between the inner surface (22) and the decorative surface (21) on the vamp (2) for fixing an ornament. The present invention further relates to a slipper with an ornament, which comprises a slipper body above-mentioned and an ornament (3) fixed onto the vamp (2) by the fixing slot (23). With the slipper body and the slipper with an ornament according to the present invention, the consumers can select or change the ornaments of the vamp on their own to meet the personal requirements without the wearing comfortability being affected, and the ornaments can be removed without influencing the beautiful degree of the vamp. In addition, the slipper body and the slipper have simple structures and are easy to use.

Abstract: A training sandal for barefoot running conditioning is provided. According to the method of the present invention two sandals are provided, each sandal having an elastic sole that decreases in elasticity with use in running and walking. A wearer then runs with the sandals to cause the elastic sole to decrease in elasticity, whereby the feet of the wearer are gradually strengthened to accommodate bare foot running.

Abstract: A shoe, including a sandal, with a transparent plastic film visible display within a permanent pouch or detachable showcase, constructed to receive, retain and display interchangeable inserts. Insert array blanks provide for Do It Yourself heat or pressure sensitive adhesive applications or can be Pre Customized fashion designs, both with quick and easy in and out insertion and replacement to match or coordinate with a variety of fashionable ensembles. The pouch or detachable showcase is mounted on the shoe in a manner which retains the insert in a substantially constant position while the wearer of the shoe is walking.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an article of open-toe footwear including a sole member and a modular retaining system that allows a user to affect the appearance and function of the article of footwear. The modular retaining system includes a strap member and a plurality of coupling members. The strap member extends from an upper surface of the sole member over a corresponding user's foot between various recesses located on the surface of the sole member. The end regions of the strap member are releasably coupled with the sole member at the recesses via a releasable engagement with coupler members oppositely oriented within the recesses from a lower surface of the sole member. The releasable engagement between the strap member and the coupling members may utilize a threaded coupling configuration in which a male portion of the coupler member is threadably coupled within a corresponding female portion of the end region.

Abstract: An article of footwear including a strap and a fastener is disclosed. The article of footwear is reversible by configuring the article in two different positions. The article of footwear may include a sole having a first side configured to contact a ground surface in a first position and a second side configured to contact a ground surface in a second position. The article of footwear may include a strap that may be selectively affixed to the second side of the sole in a first position and the first side of the sole in a second position.

Abstract: Linked articles and a method for customizing the linked articles are disclosed. The linked articles comprise a first link matrix and a second link matrix comprising a first portion of the article and a second portion of the article, respectively. The first link matrix consists essentially of links of a first material and the second link matrix consists essentially of links of a second material.

Abstract: A sandal is provided that includes loops extending around the periphery of the base of the sandal and a strap configured to connect to the loops and form an upper portion of the sandal. The sandals can include a base; a continuous cord that extends along the periphery of the upper surface of the base from a point near the toe end on one side of the base, around the heel end, and continues to a point near the toe end on the opposite side of the base; connectors that connect the cord to the base at spaced locations along the cord to thereby form loops along the base; and a strap. Each loop of the sandal can also include an identification means for identifying each loop of the sandal. Methods of forming an upper portion of a sandal and methods of forming a sandal are also provided.

Abstract: A combination apparatus for footwear including a first apparatus into which an individual's foot can be inserted, and a second apparatus into which the individual's foot can be inserted. The second apparatus is adapted to be inserted into the first apparatus. The first apparatus includes a first attachment device, and the second apparatus includes a second attachment device. In at least one embodiment the second apparatus and the first apparatus can be attached, while the second apparatus is inserted into the first apparatus by attaching the first attachment device to the second attachment device. The first apparatus may be a flip-flop or a sandal and the second apparatus may be a slipper and may be made of water proof material.

Abstract: A piece of footwear includes ornamental protrusions made to resemble toes. The toe-shaped protrusions stick out beyond the user's toes and may include toenails or other designs. Decorations on the surface of the toes, such as lights or removable ornaments, augment the toes' design. The decorations may take the form of lights within the protrusions that activate selectively in response to the wearer's movement. The lights may be visible within recesses in the protrusions or through transparent or translucent coverings over the protrusions. The decorations may also take the form of self-adhesive ornaments such as stickers or gems that are provided to the user, allowing the user to customize the look of the toe protrusions through selection and positioning of the ornaments thereon. Ornaments may also include symbols which can be arranged to convey a message selected by the user. Ornaments may be removed and replaced or interchanged as desired.

Abstract: Footwear and a process for manufacturing footwear, the footwear having a two-piece movable and pivoting strap system, the straps being adaptable to any width or shape of the feet, with at least one outer strap having an injection molded securing member having a non apparent pipette that fits in the sole of the footwear, at least one other strap having at least one coupling aperture to the securing member of the other strap.

Abstract: Improved footwear is disclosed, including an improved foot gripping member and footwear having a resilient and angled or curved sole. The improvements are particularly well adapted for footwear made for beach, street, home, sports, or general casual wear. The various features of the disclosed footwear may be utilized alone, or in combination with each other, in order to improve the comfort and improve the attachment to the footwear to the foot.

Abstract: A sandal assembly includes a base that has top side, a bottom side, a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, a front edge and a rear edge. A foot strapping system to releasably secure a foot to the base includes a first tether that has a free first end and a free second end. Each of the first and second ends is removably extended into the top side of the base. The top side of the base includes a plurality of wells extending therein. Each of the wells receives one of the first and second ends. A first well of the plurality of wells is positioned adjacent to the first lateral edge and a second well of the plurality of wells is positioned adjacent to the second lateral edge.

Abstract: A footwear construction including a portion of an upper and/or sole, a strap defining a sleeve, and a cord joined with the upper and/or sole portion, extending toward the strap and slidably housed in the sleeve. An adjustment element is selectively locatable along a part of the cord. By sliding the cord relative to the sleeve and optionally adjusting the location of the adjustment element, the spatial relationship between the strap and the upper and/or sole portion can be selectively adjusted to accommodate a particular dimension of a wearer's foot and/or ankle. A method is also provided for manufacturing footwear including the above components.

Abstract: The sandal with pneumatic support includes an inflatable bladder in the sole, in the area immediately beneath the arch of the foot when the sandal is worn. A manual air pump is provided integrally with the sandal. In one embodiment, the pump is located atop the toe divider of a flip-flop type sandal. In another embodiment, the pump is located in the heel. A pressure relief valve is located along one of the upper straps of the sandal. The arch bladder, air pump, and relief valve communicate pneumatically with one another. The sandal may be devoid of structure extending between the toes when worn, but may include straps passing over and/or around the foot. The sandal provides greatly improved support and reduces or eliminates muscular problems resulting from the lack of arch support in sandals.

Abstract: The present invention is an anatomical toepiece that is adapted for insertion into the footbed of a footwear article to provide increased comfort and control. The toepiece has a molded core comprising an anchoring flange for embedded attachment within the footbed of the footwear article. Additionally, the molded core further has an inter-toe engagement portion which extends upwardly from the anchoring flange for engagement between the great toe and the adjacent digit, and a wing which caps the inter-toe engagement portion and extends outwardly in both directions over a portion of the upper forefoot. The inter-toe engagement portion has arcuate curved sidewalls and an arcuate curved back wall to contour to the curvature of an engage foot thereby providing comfort and dexterity.

Abstract: Footwear is provided including an upper, a porous insole, a midsole, and a solid outsole. The insole has pores that permit sand to fall through the insole. The midsole includes a top surface with a plurality of grooves extending lengthwise between openings on the rear surface of the midsole and openings on the front surface of the midsole.

Abstract: An article of footwear configured to drain water away from a foot wearing the article of footwear includes a plurality of drainage holes positioned between ribs formed on the sole. The drainage holes are formed along a centerline of the sole. The drainage holes are substantially vertical channels formed entirely through the sole. The ribs include raised center portions disposed at or near the inlets to the drainage holes to lift the foot away from the drainage holes.

Abstract: A paddle slipper includes an insole for the contact of the sole of a user's foot, and an outsole bonded to the bottom side of the insole for contacting the ground and defining at a bottom side thereof a front open zone, a front support zone and a rear support zone. The front and rear support zones of the outsole lift the insole so that the user's sole is kept above the ground, lowering the chance of water-wetting the sole of the user's foot when the user is paddling. A front groove is defined between front protruding blocks of the front support zone, facilitating discharge of pressure from the user's sole. The front open zone design offers wearing comfort when the user is walking.

Abstract: A flip flop sandal having a shoe sole and a big toe compartment for separately accommodating the big toe to separate the big toe from the other toes so as to orthopedically correct and/or prevent hallux valgus. The flip-flop sandal includes a metatarsal strap for supporting the metatarsus that is connected to the shoe sole by a centering apparatus in a pre-determined orientation, the metatarsal strap including lateral foot sole support segments that extend laterally under the foot sole and over the shoe sole so as to be lifted up relative to the shoe sole in order to support the metatarsus from the foot sole with upwardly oriented lateral pressure so as to support the metatarsus in the upright position even when the foot sole lifts up from the shoe sole during a rolling movement of the foot which occurs when a wearer is walking.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an open-toe footwear system including a base member, toe post, and strap member. The toe post is coupled to the base member at a region corresponding to a location between the user's big toe and adjacent toe. The base member includes a forefoot member and a hindfoot member having different densities. The hindfoot member is denser and/or stiffer than the forefoot member. The base member may further include a top and bottom member between which the forefoot and hindfoot members are disposed. The forefoot member and hindfoot member may be intercoupled and respectively positioned to be under the respective forefoot and hindfoot regions of a user's foot. The forefoot member may be shaped to anatomically correspond to the phalanx and metatarsal regions of the user's foot. The hindfoot member may be shaped to anatomically correspond to the heel and arch regions of the user's foot.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an open toe footwear system including a base member, a toe post, a strap member, and two lateral foot posts. The strap member is coupled to both the toe post and the two lateral foot posts. The toe post and two lateral foot posts are coupled to the base member. The toe post includes a structural toe portion and a padded toe portion. The structural toe portion is composed of a material with a particular hardness and structural rigidity. The padded toe portion is composed of a soft material configured to minimize chaffing and bruising of a user's skin. The structural toe portion and padded toe portion are intercoupled to form a conventionally shaped cylindrical toe post. The intercoupling between the structural toe portion and the padded toe portion may include a bonding member configured to increase adhesion and prevent stretching and/or translation.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an open toe footwear system including a base member, toe post, and strap member. The toe post is coupled to the base member at a region corresponding to a location between a user's big toe and the adjacent toe. The strap member is intercoupled between the toe post and two lateral foot coupling regions on the base member. The strap member includes a structural portion which may be composed of a stiffer fabric type material that is configured to maintain separation from the base member. The strap member further includes a stretched padding portion coupled to and extended over the structural portion so as to be externally exposed on both the top and bottom surfaces of the strap member. The coupling on the top surface of the strap member between the stretched padding portion and the structural portion may be seamless. The stretched padding portion may include both a wrapping and retaining tensile extension.

Abstract: A detachable material wrapped around a strap of a footwear guards against blister formation, provides comfort and a softer feel against a foot, and to add aesthetic value. In one embodiment, the detachable material is a strip made of self-fastening material. In another plurality of loops. The detachable material is reusable and adjustable.

Abstract: Articles of footwear having an enclosed articulated toe portion, including a molded midsole with an integrally-molded toe cap shaped to receive a foot therein and to enclose the toes of the foot. The toe cap terminates at a position adjacent to the base of the toes of the foot. The articles additionally include an outsole affixed to the bottom of the midsole and an upper which in some embodiments is co-molded with the midsole and toe cap.

Abstract: A slipper is disclosed which is symmetrically configured so as to be able to be worn on a person's foot with either end accented to the front or rear.

Abstract: A sandal of basically flip-flop configuration is provided comprising a sole (1, 19), an upstanding thong (2, 17, 23, 26, 29) for passing between the big toe and the adjacent second toe of a wearer and a pair of straps (3, 14, 22, 31) each of which operatively connects the thong with an opposite side (4) of the sole between the heel and toe thereof so as to form a closed loop with the sole. At least one releasable connection (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 27, 28) is associated with the thong or straps or both whereby the closed loop that each strap forms with the sole can be releasably opened as and when required. The releasable connection that typically includes a two component connector may be provided at or towards an end region (5, 15) of its associated strap remote from the thong. Alternatively, the ends (21, 25, 30) of the straps (22, 31) associated with the thong are releasable from the sole either by being releasable from the thong or by the thong being releasable from sole.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising a plurality of strips is disclosed. The connections between continuous portions of the article can be strengthened by weaving a plurality of strips through apertures disposed in one or more continuous portions. One continuous portion may include a tongue portion of an article. The attachment of the tongue portion to a front of an article may be strengthened by weaving a plurality of strips through apertures.

Abstract: An article of footwear including a woven strap system is disclosed. The woven strap system preferably wraps along the entirety of the outsole, including a bottom side and an outer periphery. The article of footwear also includes a midsole that rests inside the woven strap system, just above the outsole.

Abstract: A shoe manufactured from a moldable foam material having a heel strap formed of a flexible and elastic material. The heel strap has a first end which is fixedly attached to an interior outer side of an upper portion of shoe. The heel strap also has a second end which is removeably attachable to an exterior outer side of the upper portion of the shoe though use of a Velcro loop arrangement and a cooperating Velcro hook arrangement which are attached each to one of the exterior outer side of the upper portion of the shoe and the second end of the heel strap.

Abstract: The slipper comprises a sole having a plurality of holes, anchorage elements inserted into the holes, and a lace passed through holes in the anchorage elements to join the upper lace to the sole. Each anchorage element comprises a base, is housed in one of the holes in the sole, for cooperation with the sole to prevent the movement of the relative anchorage element along at least a first direction. A projection extends upwardly from the base of each anchorage element, and a through hole is defined in the projection to receive the lace. Each anchorage element may also include retention members for securing the position of the slipper with respect to the sole.

Abstract: The application relates to a sole (20) for footwear (10) which has a toe part (70) being made of a substantially inflexible material, a ball part (80) being made of a flexible material, and an instep-heel part (90) being made of a substantially inflexible material. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the substantially inflexible material is carbon fiber in a thermoplastic epoxy resin and the flexible material of an aramide fiber in a thermoplastic epoxy resin. The application also teaches a shoe made with this sole and a method for the manufacture of the shoe.

Abstract: An interchangeable shoe strap system that permits the user to customize the fit and aesthetics of her footwear. The shoe includes a sole member 22 with an upper surface 24 to support a wearer's foot and a lower surface 26 to contact a support surface. An elastic binding 28 is affixed to a sole member 22 with a series of knots 36 and mounting studs 30, thusly creating loops in the elastic binding 28. An equal number of loops, of a substantially equal size, are aligned transversely along the side edges of the forward region of the shoe sole member 22. The shoe is completed when the wearer laces a strap 34 through the elastic bindings 28.

Abstract: Melded footwear and process for manufacture of footwear. This enhanced shoe can be formed and assembled with a limited number of steps and without the need for much stitching. The shoe has a durable polyurethane shell, which is an integrated upper and outsole. The shoe contains a textile upper portion which is attached by direct injection molded. Molding the textile to the outsole eliminates the need for the use of adhesives. A locking plug element is provided that serves the dual function of providing cushioning around the heel and locking certain elements together.

Abstract: An interchangeable footwear restraint system comprising: a sole having a top surface and a continuous bottom surface; at least one female slot clip receptacle extending into the sole, wherein the female slot clip receptacle is exposed from the top surface; and at least one male slot clip extension, wherein the male slot clip is attached to a first end of at least one strap and is received into the female slot clip connecting the strap to the sole.

Abstract: Personally adjustable footwear with at least one sole layer including: a toe portion, a heel portion, and an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion has openings passing vertically through the layer so that the intermediate portion is elastically flexible to allow relative longitudinal displacement of the toe portion and the heel portion to vary a length of the layer without significant variation in a thickness of the layer. A retention mechanism selectively fixes the toe and heel portions in any of a number of relative positions. Also disclosed are implementations with insertable and removable segments, and with elongated elements sliding in channels.

Abstract: Articles of footwear having an enclosed articulated toe portion, including a molded midsole with an integrally-molded toe cap shaped to receive a foot therein and to enclose the toes of the foot. The toe cap terminates at a position adjacent to the base of the toes of the foot. The articles additionally include an outsole affixed to the bottom of the midsole and an upper which in some embodiments is co-molded with the midsole and toe cap.