Abstract: A shoe includes a sole provided with a ground contact surface, an upper provided with an opening into which a foot of a wearer is inserted, the upper being attached to the sole and covering the foot of the wearer, and a correction member including an inner arm fixed to a medial foot side of the opening of the upper, an outer arm fixed to a lateral foot side of the opening of the upper, and a connection portion connecting the inner arm and the outer arm, the correction member being attached to the upper away from the sole in such a manner that the connection portion is disposed on a rear side of the opening.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for arrays of colored footwear articles, methods of manufacturing or making arrays of colored footwear articles, footwear articles, and the like. The present disclosure relates to obscuring an observable property (e.g., visibly observable such as color, surface texture, surface finish, etc.) of a substrate (e.g., footwear upper material, footwear sole material, etc.) used to construct a footwear article.

Abstract: A section of (cured and non-liquid) textured foam includes at least a portion of an upper surface that substantially resembles a look of a human fingerprint for a purpose of providing enhanced grip traction between the at least the portion of the upper surface of the textured foam and a hand or a foot of a user of the textured foam. Disposed opposite of the upper surface of the textured foam may be an adhesive backing for attachment to a diverse variety of exterior surfaces where improved grip traction are desired. Systems and methods for making such textured foam that substantially resembles a look of a human fingerprint may utilize a heating means and a compression means.

Abstract: An article of footwear is provided and includes an upper, a fluid-filled chamber including a first portion in contact with the upper in a first region, and a midsole including a first portion disposed between the fluid-filled chamber and the upper in a second region.

Abstract: An upper for a shoe and a shoe including an upper and a sole that is connected to the upper may be provided. In one implementation, an upper for a shoe may be provided, the shoe including the upper and a sole connected to a lower edge of the upper via injection molding. The upper may include a first knitted area having a first stitch density, wherein a portion of the first knitted area may be located at the lower edge of the upper and may include a first meltable material having a first melting temperature. The first meltable material may be melted prior to or during the connection of the sole to the upper and may limit the flow of molding material through a melted area of the upper.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for manufacturing an artificial leather shoe upper which comprises steps of preparing plural pieces of artificial leather upper material, setting a thermoforming machine, placing the plural pieces of artificial leather upper material in the thermoforming machine, pumping out excess air of a lower die block of the thermoforming machine, thermoforming the plural pieces of artificial leather upper material to obtain a semi-finished product, and demoulding, image recognition, laser cutting and coloring the semi-finished product to obtain the artificial leather shoe upper.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a forefoot region disposed adjacent an anterior end, a heel region disposed adjacent a posterior end, and a mid-foot region disposed intermediate the forefoot region and the heel region. The sole structure further includes fluid-filled bladder having a first segment extending along a medial side in the heel region, a second segment extending along a lateral side in the heel region, and a web area disposed between the first segment and the second segment. Additionally, the sole structure includes an outer sole member having an upper portion extending from a first end in the forefoot region to a second end in the heel region. The second end of the outer sole member is received on a first side of the web area. The outer sole member also includes a rib extending downwardly from the upper portion and defining a cavity.

Abstract: A shoe includes a sole, an upper and a strap. The upper is attached to the sole. The strap extends in a width direction of the shoe. The strap includes a proximal end fixed to the upper and a distal end located on an opposite side of the proximal end in the width direction of the shoe. One of the upper and the strap includes at least one first engaging portion, whereas the other of the upper and the strap includes at least one second engaging portion that is engaged with the at least one first engaging portion while extending in a direction intersecting with a longitudinal direction of the shoe where the distal end is held against the upper.

Abstract: Ground-engaging components for articles of footwear include: (a) an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an open space at least at a forefoot support area of the ground-engaging component; and (b) a matrix structure extending at least partially across the open space at least at the forefoot support area to define an open cellular construction with plural open cells in the open space at least at the forefoot support area. A plurality of these open cells of the open cellular construction have openings with curved perimeters and no distinct corners. Additional aspects of this invention relate to ground-engaging components that are very lightweight yet very stiff, particularly in the forefoot support area. Two or more sizes of the ground-engaging components may be provided with substantially constant forefoot stiffness (optionally substantially constant over a size run).

Abstract: A shoe having a sole. The sole includes a midsole including multiple midsole portions. A first midsole portion is an inner portion of a first midsole material. A second, midsole portion of a second midsole material circumscribes the first midsole portion, and a third midsole portion formed of a third midsole material circumscribes the second midsole portion. The second midsole portion has a greater durometer hardness than the first midsole portion. The third midsole portion has a different durometer hardness than the second midsole portion. The second midsole portion is of a different color than each of the first midsole portion and the third midsole portion. An outsole secured to the midsole is sufficiently translucent that so that the first, second, and third midsole portions are visually discernable one from another by a person of normal, unaided vision viewing the outsole.

Abstract: A sole for an article of footwear includes a base having an outer edge defining a perimeter, the base having a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion and a heel portion; and a plurality of resilient projections extending from the base, wherein the plurality of projections includes a plurality of projections extending non-orthogonally from the base about the perimeter of the base and a plurality of projections extending substantially orthogonally from the base within the non-orthogonal projections.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an article of footwear having a sole structure effective to increase traction on a support surface. The article of footwear includes a sole structure comprising a first sole structure and a second sole structure. The article of footwear includes a forefoot region, midfoot region, and hindfoot region. The first sole structure is disposed in the forefoot and hindfoot regions. The second sole structure is disposed in the midfoot region. An extension of the second sole structure that extends through the forefoot region is substantially covered by the first sole structure. A plurality of lugs extend downwardly from the bottom surface of the first sole structure. At least one lug extends downwardly from the extension of the second sole structure through the first sole structure. The first sole structure and the second sole structure have different durometers.

Abstract: A sole structure includes a midsole component including a midsole body, a plurality of traction members, and a securing layer. The midsole body defines an outer midsole surface and an inner midsole surface opposite the outsole midsole surface. The traction members are coupled to the midsole body. Each of the traction members includes a base and a traction body protruding from the base away from the inner midsole surface. The traction body extends through the midsole body, and the base abuts the inner midsole surface. As such, that the traction members are movable relative to the midsole body. The securing layer is disposed over the base, and is coupled to the inner midsole surface to hold the plurality of traction members in contact with the midsole component.

Abstract: A system for analyzing athletic activity is usable with an article of footwear including a sensor system with a plurality of force sensors configured to sense force exerted by a user's foot, an electronic module contained within the article of footwear, and a plurality of sensor leads connecting the sensors to the electronic module, wherein the electronic module collects data based on force input from the sensors and transmits the data. The system also includes an electronic device in communication with the electronic module. The electronic device includes a processor that receives the data from the electronic module, compares the data to a footstrike template corresponding to a desired footstrike pattern to determine whether a deviation from the footstrike template exists, and generates an indication to the user when the deviation from the desired footstrike pattern is determined to exist, which may also include a degree of such deviation.

Abstract: A stretchable member includes: a flat base made of a stretchable knitted fabric; and a limiting part extending in a stretching direction of the base, formed integrally with the base while having both ends in a length direction knitted in, and fixed to, the base, and configured to limit stretch of the base. The limiting part is longer than the distance between fixing points at which the limiting part is fixed to the base in an unstretched state, and is made of a knitted fabric which has a flat band shape and which is configured to become slack with respect to the base when the base is in the unstretched state.

Abstract: Described are soles for shoes, and shoes with such soles. The sole includes a first partial region and a second partial region, a cushioning element, and a protection element. The cushioning element is arranged within at least a portion of the first partial region and within at least a portion of the second partial region. The protection element is also arranged within at least a portion of the first partial region and within at least a portion of the second partial region. The cushioning element has a greater stiffness in the first partial region than in the second partial region. When a wearer treads down with the sole on a surface, the protection element has a larger contact area with the surface in the first partial region than in the second partial region.

Abstract: Ground-engaging components for articles of footwear include: (a) an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an open space at least at a forefoot support area of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim is shaped such that the outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component tapers or curves inward moving from a forefoot support area to an arch support area, and wherein a narrowest dimension from a lateral side edge to a medial side edge of the outer perimeter boundary rim (across the open space) is located in a heel support area of the ground-engaging component; and (b) a support structure extending into or at least partially across the open space. The ground-engaging component may have a narrower width dimension in a central heel or rear heel support area than in the arch support area.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article includes a first layer including a first bundle of fibers affixed to a first substrate, a second layer including a second bundle of fibers affixed to a second substrate, a traction element having a first portion disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and a second portion extending from one of the first layer and the second layer. The sole structure further includes a resin that consolidates the first bundle of fibers and the second bundle of fibers, and secures the traction element between the first bundle of fibers and the second bundle of fibers.

Abstract: A footwear sole includes an outsole assembly having a heel outsole, a forefoot outsole spaced axially apart from the heel outsole by an arch gap, and a sidewall extending between the heel outsole and the forefoot outsole. The sidewall has an elevated bottom edge extending axially along the arch gap on each of a medial and lateral side of the outsole assembly. The footwear sole further includes a support frame in the outsole assembly. The frame has an arch support surface extending axially along the arch gap at an elevation below at least a portion of each bottom edge. The footwear sole further includes a cushioning midsole in the outsole assembly and extending along the arch gap atop the arch support surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular shoe (1700) in particular a sports shoe, with a sock like outer shoe (1750) and a frame (1710). The sock like outer shoe is provided for a releasable arrangement around the frame. The sock like outer shoe may comprise a plurality of profile elements (1765), wherein at least one of the profile elements extends from an outer side of the sock like outer shoe. A region of the at least one of the profile elements may be configured to releasably engage in a formfitting manner with a lower side of the frame of the modular shoe.

Abstract: An article of footwear including a connecting member is disclosed. The connecting member provides partial decoupling between the upper and the sole structure. The connecting member can include an upper layer and a lower layer that are attached at a central attachment portion.

Abstract: An ankle stabilizing device having a lace-tongue attachment includes a body member, a plurality of eyelets extending along the front edges of the body member, and a centering lace. The centering lace is secured to the ankle stabilizing device between the pair of eyelets at the toe-end of the device such that the central portion of the centering lace is precluded from passing through either of the toe-end pair of eyelets.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes include an upper and a mesh material. The mesh material may be incorporated into the upper. The mesh material may include high tensile strength strands and non-high tensile strength strands. The high tensile strength strands and non-high tensile strength strands may interlock so that the high tensile strength strands are substantially held in place. The mesh material may be provided as a woven material or a knitted material. The mesh material can have a stylish design, which can be a plaid pattern, herringbone pattern, seersucker pattern, or other pattern.

Abstract: A three-layered shoe construction having a slotted outsole with two different types of oval shaped projections, one set of oval projections with channels and one set of oval projections with a non-skid texture, the oval projections with channels creating flow channels to guide liquid off the outer surface of the outsole and the oval projections with a non-skid texture providing traction; a dual density midsole having a first density in the forefoot area and a second density in the hind foot area, the second density being greater than the first density; and an insole having a plurality of apertures that extend from a terminal end of the toe area and cover the rest of the top face except for the arch portion, the toe and arch areas of the insole being substantially smooth. The specific construction associated with the outsole, midsole and insole enhance traction, flexibility, cushioning, comfort, and breathability.

Abstract: An interchangeable cleat system for an article of footwear includes an outer sole member with a plurality of fixed cleat members and a plurality of removable cleat members. The spacing between the removable cleat members and the fixed cleat members may be approximately constant in at least one portion of the article of footwear. The differences in height between the removable cleat members and the fixed cleat members may be approximately constant within a portion of the outer sole member. The cleat system can include at least three sets of cleat members that can be interchanged over different portions of the outer sole member.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper configured to receive a foot, and a sole structure fixedly attached to a bottom portion of the upper. The sole structure may include a ground-engaging outer member and the footwear may include a first strand configured to form at least a first lace receiving loop and extending through the outer member of the sole structure.

Abstract: A sole (100, 300) for use on an item of footwear (200) wherein the sole (100,300) provides a housing for a growth medium (40) capable of growing and maintaining grass (45). The sole (100, 300) is arranged to be fitted to a lower face of an item of footwear (200), the sole is adapted to retain a growth medium (40) suitable for growing grass (45), so that when fitted to the item of footwear (200), blades of grass project distally from the sole through a mesh (30). The user therefore has the sensation of walking on grass even if not on a grassy surface.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the sole structure including a midsole with an outsole secured thereto, wherein one or more arcuate inserts within recesses or cavities extending into the midsole are exposed through one or more apertures in the outsole. These inserts provide unique cushioning and support properties, particularly during “banking” (e.g., leaning to one side or pushing off to the side from the medial or lateral side of the foot). The inserts provide the structural benefits of dome or arch shapes that are formed in the mid-sole and open to the underside.

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: An article of footwear may have an upper with a knitted component. Alone or in combination, the knitted component may include regions with different degrees of stretch-resistance; the knitted component forms a collar with a half-gauge knit; the upper includes a strand with sections that are inlaid within the knitted component, and the sections are positioned immediately adjacent to each other; the strand forms a plurality of loops, pairs of the loops are positioned immediately adjacent to each other and configured to receive a lace; and the knitted component includes a thermoplastic polymer material, and the strand is unbonded to the thermoplastic polymer material.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods thereof for employing impact resistant materials, pads, and layers are disclosed. Aspects of the invention include, an impact resistant material including an elastomer material having a base layer and a plurality of raised portions extending upward from the base layer, wherein each of the plurality of raised portions has a top surface and at least three primary sides. Each of the at least three primary sides having a middle region positioned closer to a center of the respective raised portion than either end region of the respective primary side.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes an outer fabric layer and an inner chassis that is more rigid than the fabric layer. The fabric layer includes a plurality of fabric protrusions and the inner chassis includes a plurality of chassis protrusions that correspond to the fabric protrusions. Both the fabric protrusions and the chassis protrusions extend into cleat members of the sole structure.

Abstract: An article of footwear may have an upper with a knitted component. Alone or in combination, the knitted component may include regions with different degrees of stretch-resistance; the knitted component forms a collar with a half-gauge knit; the upper includes a strand with sections that are inlaid within the knitted component, and the sections are positioned immediately adjacent to each other; the strand forms a plurality of loops, pairs of the loops are positioned immediately adjacent to each other and configured to receive a lace; and the knitted component includes a thermoplastic polymer material, and the strand is unbonded to the thermoplastic polymer material.

Abstract: Embodiments relating to a lightweight sole structure are disclosed. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a lobed member having a protruding portion associated with a cleat member. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a chambered member located in an indention in an intermediate member. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a cleat member having an outer layer, an intermediate layer, and an inner layer. In some embodiments, a method of making a sole structure may include injecting a chambered member in between an upper member and an intermediate member. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a plurality of zones having varying degrees of flexibility. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include cleat members having penetrating portions for penetrating into the ground surface.

Abstract: An article of footwear sole structure includes a flexible web. The flexible web is surrounded by a ridge extending downward from a bottom side of the web. Traction elements also extend downward from the web bottom side. When standing or casually walking, a substantial portion of the wearer's weight is transferred to the ground by the ridge. During golf play, increased downward force of the wearer on the web deforms the web and transfers more of the wearer weight onto various portions of the traction elements.

Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear may have material layers and a plurality of strand segments. The material layers are located adjacent to each other and in an overlapping configuration, and the material layers are located in a lace region and a lower region of the upper. The strand segments extend from the lace region to the lower region. The strand segments may be located and secured between the material layers in the lace region and the lower region. The strand segments may form both an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper in an area between the lace region and the lower region. The material layers may define an opening between the lace region and the lower region, and the strand segments extend across the opening.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes first and second midsole layers and first and second outsole layers. The second midsole layer defines a plurality of bores. A first outsole layer is translucent. A second outsole layer includes a plurality of non-contiguous abrasion-resistant members that correspond in shape and size to one or more of the bores in the second midsole layer.

Abstract: A shoe system includes a shoe having a sole with forward and rearward portions, the forward portion having opposed sides and including a plurality of spike elements and the rearward portion being void of spike elements. The shoe system includes a cover configured to span between the opposed sides of the forward portion lowerly adjacent the spike elements; the cover having opposed sides and including a lower layer, an intermediate layer, and an upper layer. The lower, intermediate, and upper layers are removably coupled to the shoe. The lower layer is constructed of flooring-friendly material, the intermediate layer is constructed of a yielding material, and the upper member is constructed of a porous material. The spike elements interact with the upper layer and at least a portion of the intermediate layer when the cover is lowerly adjacent the spike elements.

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 insole for athletic shoe including a body having an outermost perimeter configured to fit within an athletic shoe, the outermost perimeter defining a top surface having forefoot, midfoot, and rearfoot portions. The insole having a first raised portion on the top surface which is positioned around the outermost perimeter at the rearfoot portion, and at least one structural element provided to improve support of the athletic shoe.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in footwear and the like, the apparatus having a primary body adapted to be mounted on a work object operable to perform a task; and at least two secondary bodies mounted on the primary body and adapted selectively to be moved by the work object in the performance of the task.

Abstract: A pair of shoes is provided that includes a left and a right shoe. The left shoe includes an upper having a left forefoot portion, the left forefoot portion having a lateral side with a portion thereof made of a first material and a medial side with a portion thereof made of a second material. The right shoe includes an upper having a right forefoot, the right forefoot having a medial side with a portion thereof made of the first material and a lateral side with a portion thereof made of the second material, wherein one of the first material and the second material provides more support than the other. The more supportive first material can include a polyurethane, such as TPU, a non-stretch synthetic material, or ceraprene. The second, less supportable material can be a light weight breathable mesh.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method of making a custom article of footwear. Further, the article of footwear can include a spring element that can provide improved cushioning, stability, and running economy. In addition, the components of the article of footwear can be selected from a wide range of options, and can be easily removed and replaced, as desired.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved spike installed in a sole of a shoe and consists of a receptacle having a base and several connecting seats integrated around the edge of the base in one piece flexibly moving in proportion to the base. Several spikes are installed unto individual connecting seats extruding the sole. Accordingly, each connecting seat and partial spikes are wrapped up by the flexible sole. When spikes receive an external force causing connecting seats to deviate slightly and simultaneously, the elasticity of the sole material and elastic recovery of each connecting seat are used ingeniously to create proper grip.

Abstract: The present invention provides soles, platforms, or inserts incorporated into footwear, preferably athletic footwear, designed to promote a more efficient running technique by an energy-translating sole comprising one or more angular displacement members, balance-thrust members, and counterbalance as well as conventional features. Systems and methods of the present invention promote more efficient running technique by facilitating foot-strike to occur at a point under and behind the runner's center of gravity. This may be accomplished, for example, by a foot-strike member, angular displacement member and balance-thrust member working cooperatively to displace the runner's center of gravity and translate gravitational, inertial and ground reaction forces, as well as muscular tension forces, into linear momentum.

Abstract: A track spiked shoe or a running shoe has a thin-plate-like outsole formed of a hard synthetic resin and having a plurality of cleats or studs on a ground contact surface thereof. The outsole has a first and second bulge each protruding downwardly toward the ground surface. The first bulge is located at a position that corresponds to a thenar eminence of a foot of a shoe wearer and the second bulge at a position that corresponds to a hypothenar eminence of a foot of a shoe wearer. The first and second bulge each has a configuration that conforms to a shape of a forefoot portion of a foot that has been flexed. Some of the cleats are provided on a convexly curved surface of the first and second bulge.

Abstract: The invention is an article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure. The sole structure includes a moderator plate and a traction plate. The moderator plate is attached to the upper and the traction plate is attached to the moderator plate, thereby forming a void between the plates. The traction plate functions as a ground-engaging portion of the sole and includes a plurality of projections that provide traction. In addition, the projections may be structured to attenuate impact forces and absorb energy during the running cycle.

Abstract: An outsole (1) has a body (2), a spike (3), a first projected portion (4), and a second projected portion (5). The spike (3) has a disk-like portion (7) and a pin (8). The disk-like portion (7) and the pin (8) are composed of a rubber-molded material. The rubber-molded material contains 30 wt % or more of polybutadiene or acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer as a rubber component thereof. The JIS-C hardness of the rubber-molded material is set to the range from 35 to 95 both inclusive. The cutting-time elongation of the rubber-molded material is set to 280% or more. The difference (h1−h2) between a projected height (h1) of the spike (3) and a projected height (h2) of the first projected portion (4) as well as the second projected portion (5) is set to the range from 0 mm to 15 mm both inclusive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sole for an article of footwear and the method of manufacture. The sole includes a mesh layer at least partially embedded in a sole layer. The method for manufacturing the sole includes the steps of providing a mold, inserting a mesh into the mold, and forming a sole layer in the mold, the sole layer having a mesh layer at least partially embedded in the sole layer. The invention also relates to an article of footwear that includes this sole, and the method of manufacture thereof.

Abstract: A track spiked shoe or a running shoe has a thin-plate-like outsole formed of a hard synthetic resin and having a plurality of cleats or studs on a ground contact surface thereof. The outsole has a first and second bulge each protruding downwardly toward the ground surface. The first bulge is located at a position that corresponds to a thenar eminence of a foot of a shoe wearer and the second bulge at a position that corresponds to a hypothenar eminence of a foot of a shoe wearer. The first and second bulge each has a configuration that conforms to a shape of a forefoot portion of a foot that has been flexed. Some of the cleats are provided on a convexly curved surface of the first and second bulge.