Abstract: A shoe for preventing ankle injuries comprises a sole with a ground-engaging surface, and lateral and medial edges associated with respective lateral and medial connecting portions interconnecting and extending between the ground-engaging surface and the lateral and medial edges. At least one of the connecting portions defines a surface area of reduced friction provided, e.g., in the form of retrofitted patches, which are circumferentially surrounded by adjacent surface areas having a relatively high coefficient of friction. Friction is differentiated in different areas of those parts of the shoe which are implicated in injury mechanisms, and injuries may thus be prevented in the recovery phase after injury, and primary prophylaxis may be achieved. The area of reduced friction reduces the ability of the wearer's foot to rotate relative to ground when the load of the wearer's body is shifted towards or lands near the edge of the shoe.

Abstract: Low-profile dance shoes and associated methods of manufacture are disclosed herein. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a dance shoe that includes an integrated heel member that provides increased support, stability, and shock-absorption for the dancer. The dance shoe can further include a support member configured to provide lateral support to the foot and/or ankle, and a shock-absorption member.

Abstract: Stitching is applied to a shoe or shoe component and then printed. The stitching may be formed from a continuous thread. After printing, a portion of the continuous thread may have a different color or appearance from other portion(s) of the continuous thread.

Abstract: A boot for a roller skate system has a three-point fastening system for fastening the boot to a rail. The three-point fastening system includes three fastening devices, wherein the first fastening device is arranged in a central position in the heel region of the boot, the second fastening device is arranged on an outer side in the ball region of the boot, and the third fastening device is arranged on an inner side in the ball region of the boot. The rail that can be mounted on the boot is also described.

Abstract: A pointe shoe combines enhanced impact protection for the toes of a dancer provided by at least one viscoelastic polymer layer, with resistance to moisture degradation of internal structural components of the pointe shoe provided by two surrounding layers of silicone that present a moisture barrier against perspiration. The pointe shoe includes a tip portion, front portion, right side portion, and left side portion having an outer fabric layer; an outer silicone layer bonded to the outer fabric layer presenting an outer moisture barrier; a paper mache layer, attached to the silicone layer; a viscoelastic urethane polymer layer, attached to the paper mache layer, to evenly spread impact of pointed toes of the dancer; an inner silicone layer, attached to the viscoelastic urethane polymer layer, the inner silicone layer presenting an inner moisture barrier to protect at least the paper mache layer from moisture; and an inner breathable fabric layer.

Abstract: A footwear securing device is provided. The device includes a front strap, a mid strap, a rear strap, an ankle strap, a connector strap, and a base plate; the base plate configured to attach to a sole of a shoe and comprising a front portion, a mid portion, and a rear portion, the front portion comprising a front slot, the mid portion comprising a mid slot, and the rear portion comprising a rear slot; and the front strap configured to enter the front slot, the mid strap configured to enter the mid slot, and the rear strap configured to enter the rear slot.

Abstract: A one-piece, triangular shoe insert for use in pointed-toe shoes where the toe box extends beyond the tips of the toes. The insert is small enough to fit into a toe box of a pointed toe shoe and not cram the toes. The insert is large enough so that the insert remains in place within a pointed toe box due to friction. The insert is made of a dense but resilient material, so that it also remains in place within a toe box due to expansion of the material against the surface of the interior, curved underside of the toe box. The insert may remain in a shoe for the life of a shoe, or it may be removed by wedging one's index finger or a blunt object such as a flat-edge screwdriver underneath the insert and pulling it out. Upon removal from a shoe, the resilient material from which the one-piece insert is made springs back to its original shape, and the one-piece insert may be reused.

Abstract: A footwear securing device is provided. The device includes a front strap, a mid strap, a rear strap, an ankle strap, a connector strap, and a base plate; the base plate configured to attach to a sole of a shoe and comprising a front portion, a mid portion, and a rear portion, the front portion comprising a front slot, the mid portion comprising a mid slot, and the rear portion comprising a rear slot; and the front strap configured to enter the front slot, the mid strap configured to enter the mid slot, and the rear strap configured to enter the rear slot.

Abstract: A climbing shoe comprising a substantially sock-shaped shoe-upper, so as to completely cover the foot of the user; a front sole which is fixed on the bottom part of the shoe-upper so as to cover the tarsal-phalangeal region of the sole of the foot; a rear sole which is separate and spaced apart from the front sole and is fixed on the bottom part of the shoe-upper so as to at least partly cover the talus-calcaneus region of the sole of the foot; and a substantially ribbon-shaped medial tensioning strip which is made of elastomeric material and is fixed on the bottom part of the shoe-upper so as to extend substantially along the center line of the sole of the foot, from the shoe-upper area under the front sole up to the shoe-upper area under the rear sole following an arched trajectory.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole having a forefoot portion, a heel portion and an outsole having a bottom surface including a primary ground contacting surface. The bottom surface of the outsole includes a forefoot bulge and a heel bulge which provide the footwear with controlled instability for providing dynamic conditioning of the wearer's muscles during the gait cycle.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include one or more harnesses to restrain a wearer foot from transverse movement within an upper during a rapid sideways maneuver. One harness may be located in a lateral forefoot region. Another harness may be located in medial region and may include a midfoot and/or a hindfoot region.

Abstract: A footwear system is disclosed, which includes a shell having an inner cavity and at least one recessed area offset from an inner surface of the shell, and a chassis having one or more components adapted to protect a user's foot from injury. In one embodiment, the chassis is insertable into the inner cavity of the shell, such that the one or more components of the chassis are securely retained (e.g., permanently affixed) within the at least one recessed area of the shell. Methods of forming the aforementioned footwear system using expandable materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: A toe tap for a tap shoe is characterized by a blunt forward edge which defines a platform for a dance to utilize during dance steps, particularly when the dancer elevates to an elongated pointe position with supported by the tips of the toes. The tap includes a base which has a rear edge extending toward the ball area of the dance shoe and side edges which extend between the front and rear edges. The tap further includes constant perimeter around the side and front portions and a lip extending upwardly from the base at the constant perimeter to enable the dance to execute shuffle and other dance movements with the medial and lateral portions of the foot. A projection further extends from the lip at the front edge. The projection has a flat surface co-planar with the blunt front edge of the base to define a larger platform for supporting the toe tips of the dancer's foot.

Abstract: An article of footwear configured for use as a dance shoe is provided. The article of footwear can include an upper and a two-piece sole connected to the upper. The article can also include a cage support that surrounds a portion of the upper and aids in flexibility of the shoe. The article can also include a single piece liner with an integrated toe box. In addition, the shoe can include an offset lacing system. In another arrangement, the shoe can include an elastic wrap, connected to the bottom of the shoe on the inside of the upper. The wrap can act as a tongue to minimize contact between the offset lacing system and the dancer's foot. In yet another arrangement, the shoe can include different types of outsole supports.

Abstract: A method for producing articles of footwear with customized cleat arrangements is disclosed. The method includes a step of designing a customized cleat arrangement using a graphical interface system; a step of drilling holes into an outer plate according to the designed customized cleat arrangement; a step of inserting receiving members into the holes; a step of attaching the outer plate to an upper; and a step of associating a plurality of cleats with the receiving members.

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 apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a shoe cover. The shoe cover is useful for muffling sound of the wearer. The apparatus contains a padded sole, an encasing material, vertical straps, an attachment mechanism on the straps, and a replaceable cover. The replaceable cover can be substituted when the replaceable cover becomes worn or when a different type of cover is desirable.

Abstract: The invention relates to fireproof and/or flame-resistant footwear (1), in particular boots for firefighters, with a protective function against harmful substances, such as toxic chemical substances, the footwear (1) having a multilayered structure (2), the structure (2) comprising an outer layer (3), facing away from the foot when the footwear is being worn, and an inner layer (4), in particular an inner lining, provided on the outer layer (3) and facing towards the foot when the footwear is being worn. An adsorption layer (5) with an adsorption material (6), in particular activated charcoal, adsorbing harmful substances, is additionally arranged between the outer layer (3) and the inner layer (4), and the outer layer (3) is additionally provided with a fireproof and/or flame-retardant coating or impregnation (12).

Abstract: The disclosure provides a footwear device, a footwear assembly, a method for making the footwear device, and a method for making the footwear assembly that can reduce manufacturing costs and complexities.

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: In one embodiment, a hiking boot attachment is provided that assists in the descent of slopes. The hiking boot attachment includes a platform that engages the underside of a mid-portion of a sole of a hiking boot, in a region under a ball of a hiker's foot. A strap system is attached to the platform and secures the platform to the hiking boot. Further, one or more supports are secured to the platform. The one or more supports each have a portion that extends downward from a bottom face of the platform to engage the ground and lift the platform above the ground. This may reduce incline of the hiking boot when descending a slope. The portions of the one or more supports that engage the ground deliver downward force to regions of ground disposed to lateral sides of the hiking boot, to promote stability.

Abstract: As described above, just as a person inserts his/her toes into a space under furniture and does sit-ups by using the force of the toes, a functional shoe of the present invention provides a portion into which an instep and a toe base portion are inserted on the functional shoe to use the force of the toe base portion which may exert the greatest force from among portions of a foot, thereby adding momentum. Accordingly, a wearer may further use the force of the instep and the toe base portion to support weight. That is, when a batter hits a baseball in a baseball game, an instep of the batter including a toe base portion may be inserted into a weight support unit to support the weight of the batter, thereby adding forces of the instep and the toe base portion the weight of the batter.

Abstract: An item of footwear comprises an upper adapted to receive a foot of the wearer. A sole is secured to a bottom surface of the upper. A shell is positioned on a front-end portion of the upper so as to cover the toe region of the upper. The shell has an extension projecting below a junction between the upper and the sole to cover at least the junction in the toe region of the item of footwear.

Abstract: Described are embodiments of multi-functional footwear. In one example, an article of footwear includes a climbing arch configured to receive at least a portion of a climbing surface. The climbing arch also includes a plurality of engagement members extending from the arch and configured to engage a climbing surface. The article of footwear may also include a protective plate, a plurality of outwardly extending protrusions that form a receiving area configured to receive a portion of a second body, a drainage system configured to drain liquid from within the article of footwear, and/or an anti-rope burn upper. The described, multi-functional footwear may be designed with significantly less mass than known footwear.

Abstract: The present invention is a transparent thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) comprising structural units of: a.) a diisocyanate; b.1) a polyester diol and b.2) a specific polyether diol and c.) a chain extender. The TPU has good combinations of light transmission and clarity, tensile strength, low temperature flexibility, and high moisture vapor transition rates compared to other commercial or known TPUs. A preferred example composition is a TPU that is based on MDI as the diisocyanate monomer, polycaprolactone as a polyester diol, an EO capped EO/PO polyether diol containing less than 20% EO, and butanediol as chain extender. These composition have good combinations of clarity, tensile strength, hydrolytic stability and processability compared to TPUs prepared using either polyester or polyether diols alone or the combination with a higher EO polyether diol.

Abstract: A shoe comprising a single molded sole having a lateral section, positioned at a front outer portion of the sole, the lateral section made of a first rubber material, a medial section, positioned at a front inner portion of the sole and positioned adjacent to the lateral section, the medial section made of a third rubber material, a heel section, positioned at a rear portion of the sole, the heel section made of the third rubber material, and an arch section, positioned between the lateral section or the medial section and the heel section, the arch section made of a second rubber material.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure includes footwear with a sole assembly including an abrasion resistant medial arch portion. In various embodiments, a sole assembly can include a primary portion extending across lateral, toe, and heel regions of the sole assembly, and a secondary portion at a medial arch region of the sole assembly. The primary portion can include a first compound having a first durometer and the secondary portion can include a second compound having a second durometer higher than the first durometer. Additionally, the sole assembly can include a dam portion spaced between the primary and secondary portions. The dam portion can include sidewalls that form a recess configured to separate the first compound from the second compound.

Abstract: A shoe, especially a boot, which has a protective function against toxic chemical agents, especially chemical warfare agents, and a multilayer layered construction, which has an outer layer, which faces away from the foot when the shoe is worn, and an inner layer, especially an inner shoe lining, which is assigned to the outer layer and faces towards the foot when the shoe is worn, wherein, in addition, an adsorption layer based on an adsorbent material, especially activated carbon, which adsorbs toxic chemical agents, is arranged between the outer layer and the inner layer. In this way, efficient protection against toxic chemical agents, especially chemical warfare agents is achieved, and a high degree of wearing comfort is achieved at the same time.

Abstract: Boots with an integrated scent carrying system are provided. The boots include a vented scented material holder that can leave a scent trail during hunting and/or to mask one's own scent during hunting. The boots are configured to effectively deliver the scent to the hunter's environment.

Abstract: An article of footwear configured for use as a dance shoe is provided. The article of footwear can include an upper and a two-piece sole connected to the upper. The article can also include a cage support that surrounds a portion of the upper and aids in flexibility of the shoe. The article can also include a single piece liner with an integrated toe box. In addition, the shoe can include an offset lacing system. In another arrangement, the shoe can include an elastic wrap, connected to the bottom of the shoe on the inside of the upper. The wrap can act as a tongue to minimize contact between the offset lacing system and the dancer's foot. In yet another arrangement, the shoe can include different types of outsole supports.

Abstract: A shoe (10) comprises an upper (12) with an inlet (14), a tongue (16) extending substantially along the inlet (14), and a tongue retaining unit (24) associated with the tongue (16), which tongue retaining unit (24) at least hinders the tongue (16) from slipping sideways when the shoe (10) is done up. According to the invention, a retaining element (18a1, 18b1) is associated with each of the two edges (14b, 14c) of the inlet (14), which retaining element (18a1, 18b1) may be brought into form-fitting retaining engagement with the tongue retaining unit (24) and exerts a pulling force on the tongue retaining unit (24) at least when the latter shifts from a desired position in a direction away from the associated edge (14b, 14c) when the shoe (10) is done up.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a shoe upper, the method for preparing the same and the use thereof. This invention provides a method for preparing shoe upper by spraying polyurethane reaction system, avoids the complicated steps of cutting, shaping, stitching and bonding, simplify the production process, reduces the equipment requirements, saves cost and improves the production efficiency.

Abstract: A shoe for driving a car according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a heel part 5 on a foot sole 4 and an inclined face 5B increasing gradually toward a rear side in a side view. This inclined face 5B comprises a first face part 5a which is formed outside in a width direction and is capable of coming in contact with a car floor when depressing an accelerator pedal and a second face part 5b unlike the face condition of the above-mentioned first face part, which is formed inside in a width direction and is capable of coming in contact with a car floor when depressing a brake pedal.

Abstract: Protective footwear, such as a motorcycle or motocross boot, having a molded top gasket and/or a fold-over thermal laminate. The molded top gasket may be a substantially annular unitary piece or multi-piece construction of an elastomeric material, such as rubber, that snugly wraps around the wearer's lower leg or ankle when the footwear is worn. The fold-over thermal laminate is a piece of thermally resistant material on the outer surface of the footwear upper that extends over a portion of the rim and into the inside of the upper. One or more optional control pads also may be placed on the exterior surface of the thermal laminate.

Abstract: An instep enhancing prosthesis (19) to be worn by a dancer to enhance the appearance of the dancer's foot (10). The prosthesis (19) includes a flexible sock portion (20) formed of elastic material to which there is attached an instep enhancing prosthetic portion (27) that has an upper surface (28) that is to provide a smooth line extending from adjacent the ankle joint (11) of the dancer to adjacent the dancer's metatarsals to give the appearance of an increased height of the instep of the dancer's foot.

Abstract: An article of footwear for water sports disclosed. The article may be worn by a helmsman on a sailboat. The article may include provisions to facilitate increased traction and support for a foot of the helmsman.

Abstract: Protective garment for environments having high radiant heat loads and/or high conductive heat loads is described. A protective footwear article and method of making includes an upper with an opaque outer layer; an inner layer; and a thermally reflective layer positioned between the outer layer and the inner layer, the thermally reflective layer having a reflective surface facing the outer layer.

Abstract: An article of footwear for gymnasts includes an outsole, an insole, an upper, and a securing member. The outsole may extend beneath a forefoot region of the foot and may include one or more traction elements. The insole may be engaged with the outsole and may include one or more impact-attenuation zones. The insole may include a medial impact-attenuation zone and a lateral impact-attenuation zone. The upper may include one or more apertures through which a wearer's phalanges may be received and may extend over a top portion of the wearer's foot between the wearer's ankle and phalanges. The securing member may secure the article of footwear to the wearer's foot, and may extend from the lateral to the medial side of the upper. The securing member may extend around the heel or ankle area of the wearer's foot. The article of footwear may be a gymnastics shoe.

Abstract: An article of footwear for water sports, especially canoeing, is disclosed. The article of footwear includes an upper attached to a sole forming a first live hinge and a strap system attached to the sole forming a second live hinge. The second live hinge is disposed distally from the first live hinge.

Abstract: An insert for a pointe shoe or other shoe provides a simple, efficient way to secure ribbons, elastic, and loops to the shoe.

Abstract: Protective footwear for responders such as firefighters, civil defense, and defense workers is described. Different aspects include a boot with a flange for forming a vapor/liquid tight seal with trousers, methods of making the boot and methods of using the boot.

Abstract: A climbing shoe having a vamp; a sole fixed to the bottom of the vamp; a substantially horseshoe-shaped first binding covering the tip portion of the vamp surrounding the metatarsus-phalanx area of the sole of the foot; a substantially horseshoe-shaped second binding, which covers the area of the vamp directly over the heel, and extends along the sides of the vamp up to the first binding; and a third binding designed to cover the portion of the vamp at the metatarsus-phalanx area of the sole of the foot, underneath the sole, and to at least partly cover the portion of the vamp at the arch area of the sole of the foot. The third binding has two proximal appendixes and two distal appendixes, which extend on opposite sides of the main body of the third binding.

Abstract: An attachment system for securing footwear to a wearer's foot that includes an integrated buckle strap receiver, which may be disposed on a portion of a footwear upper, comprising an overstrap and securing plate having a unitary construction; a buckle strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the buckle strap is capable of engaging the integrated buckle strap receiver; and a buckle operably coupled to the second end of the buckle strap for engaging an anchor on an opposing portion of the footwear upper.

Abstract: A footwear (e.g., bike shoe, snow ski boot, snowboard boot, wakeboard boot, water ski boot, work boot) is described herein that incorporates correlated magnets which enable a person who has their foot placed within the footwear to attach or remove the footwear to or from a corresponding device (e.g., bike pedal, snow ski, snowboard, wakeboard, water ski, or work platform) which also incorporates correlated magnets.

Abstract: A waterproof garden shoe has a plurality of passageways located in the shoe upper. One or more tubes located on the upper are in fluid communication with these passageways. The tubes have an opening which allows ambient air to enter the tubes and pass into the shoes through the passageways to cool the user's feet. The openings in each tube are located below the passageways that communicate with that tube to prevent water entering the tube from entering the shoe through the passageway.

Abstract: The sand shoe includes a frame enclosing a large-gauge, interwoven tread portion. The frame is fabricated from a lightweight metal. A clog is attached to the upper surface of the interwoven tread. The clog is fabricated from lightweight material and is designed with an open back for easy access and a plurality of openings for air circulation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses various features and combinations thereof for use with articles of footwear such as boots. The boots are especially adapted for use on construction projects, and provide protection, support and comfort to the wearer. Numerous outsole configurations and styles are provided, which provide superior traction and a low center of gravity for enhanced balance. Different layers of materials provide puncture resistance, abrasion resistance, thermal insulation, waterproofing and other benefits. Protective and/or insulative plates may be utilized in the footwear for puncture protection or thermal insulation, for example. Shovel guards protect the wearer when using a tool, and toe tools permit the wearer to employ the boot as a tool of its own. Structural support cages chimney structures are also utilized for support and comfort.

Abstract: To improve playing feel, a shoe (i) for foot operation of a bass drum in a drum kit has a reinforcement (6) and an abrasion protection (7) for the shoe upper (3), with the reinforcement (6) being arranged in the region of the toe joints in the position of use and the abrasion protection (7) being arranged in the region of the big toe in the position of use. A shoe (10) for foot operation of a hi-hat in a drum kit is characterized in that the shoe (10) has a convexly curved roll-off face (16) in the rear heel region, with the roll-off face (16) extending into the region below the foot in the position of use in order to assist the roll-off movement when playing the hi-hat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hygiene shoe for martial arts. The hygiene shoe is formed of a form-fitting stretchable material such as neoprene, covered by a flexible fabric on the outside and inside. An outer portion of the hygiene shoe can be formed of a first color selected to match a first belt level of martial arts and an inner portion of the hygiene shoe can be formed of a second color to match a second belt level of martial arts. The hygiene shoe is reversible for preference of the color to be worn and for extending the life of the shoe. A traction portion on the sole of the hygiene shoe comprising a first circular portion beneath the ball of the foot and a second circular portion beneath the heel of the foot connected by connecting portion beneath the outside edge of the foot provides forward movement, pivoting on the ball and heel of the foot and lateral stability.

Abstract: A method for increasing an exertion associated with a stride of a person is provided. The method including; providing a platform operatively engaged with a surface of a footwear worn by the person and upon which is exerted a weight of the person; and storing a potential energy of the person upon exertion of the weight on the platform.