Abstract: An identification system for mounting on the outer surface of the tongue of footwear and beneath the laces, flap, or other device used for fastening the footwear to the wearer. It is intended primarily for young children or incompetent adults and comprises a tubular member of pliable, liquid impermeable material defining an internal compartment with a closure mechanism to isolate the internal compartment from ambient conditions and substantially prevent entry of water and other substances. Vital information concerning the wearer may be placed in the compartment and is accessible when necessary but is not visible to the casual observer. Provision is made for temporary mounting and for permanent mounting of the tubular member to the tongue of the footwear.

Abstract: An identification member adapted to be secured to shoes having laces or straps includes an integrally formed carrier of synthetic resin having a base and a cover which are hingedly connected along one side margin thereof. The base provides a cavity in which is seated an identification element, and the cover and base have interfitting side walls which engage in the closed position. Depending from the bottom wall of the base is a U-shaped engagement loop through which a shoelace or strap passes to secure the carrier to the top of the shoe.

Abstract: The present invention is a shoe comprising a quarter panel over a part of which an outer material is secured so as to form a frame or opening positioned at the side of the shoe. An insert, such as a design or logo, is reversibly secured within said frame by a pressure sensitive adhesive. The insert is further held in place by a flexible lip formed by the outer material which overlaps the edges of the insert material.

Abstract: A midsole (10 and 22) for an activewear shoe (12) comprises a removable insert (10) and a peripheral member (22). The peripheral member (22) is joined to the perimeter of an upper surface (18) of an outsole (14). A reinforcing layer (28) substantially less thick than the peripheral member (22) is joined to the outsole upper surface (18). A transverse reinforcing segment (30) is integrally formed with the peripheral member (22) to provide stability and support to a wearer of the shoe (12). Segment (30) forms a front receptacle (32) and a heel receptacle (34) dimensioned to receive insert (10). Insert (10) has a transverse slot (42) to match with the transverse segment (30). A plurality of independent cushioning elements (40) depend from a base member (38) of insert (10), and are sized in order to conform to the depth of peripheral member (22). The cushionability and resiliency of insert (10) may be selected according to the wearer's weight and cushionability preference.

Abstract: A shoe including a mid-sole layer, a lower layer, an air compression cavity, an air envelope, a shoe pad, an inner and outer vamp and an ornament. The air envelope is connected to the air compression cavity via an air-transmission tube which extends from the air compression cavity, passes through the mid-sole layer, is layered between the front end and outer inner of the vamp and extends through to the upper side of the vamp. The air compression cavity is set between the mid-sole layer and the shoe pad corresponding to the position of the heel portion of the shoe so that the air compression cavity is compressed and decompressed periodly as the wearer is walking. The ornament is adhered to the air envelope and is vibrated up and down via the air forced in and out by the air compression cavity in walking.

Abstract: A midsole (12 and 24) for an activewear shoe (10) comprises a removable insert (12) and a peripheral member (24). The peripheral member (24) is joined to the perimeter of an upper surface (20) of an outsole (16). A plurality of independent cushioning elements (40) depend from a base member (38) of insert (12), and are sized in order to conform to the depth of peripheral member (24). A window (14) is formed through the peripheral member (24) and/or the outsole (16) to allow observation of the insert (12) from exterior the shoe (10). To reinforce the peripheral member (24) proximate the window (14), a row of stiffened cushioning elements (62) is formed on the insert (12). The stiffened elements (62) have a higher durometer reading than the remaining elements (40) and are formed during an injection molding process. A transverse reinforcing segment (31) may be provided to inhibit movement of the insert (12) within the shoe (10).

Abstract: This identifying device is attached to a portion of an article such as a shoe and includes a retainer having a flanged base and raised peripheral walls defining at least one socket. Identifying elements having the same configuration as the sockets are removably snap-fitted into the sockets. The shoe portion includes attached upper and lower plies of material, the upper ply having openings receiving the peripheral walls and overlying the flanged base to hold the retainer in place.

Abstract: A cleaning device for dislodging, and picking up and retaining foreign particles and other matter adhered on athletic footwear soles or other discrete surfaces, comprising a pad assembly having an inner cushion pad element enclosed within a fabric outer cover, and attachment means on the device for removably clasping it around the fastened footwear laces or other support means to enable brisk rubbing of the footwear soles or other surfaces across the pad assembly of the device to remove foreign matter from such surfaces.

Abstract: A shoe includes a storage pocket and a carrying bag either permanently or detachably attached to the shoe such that the carrying bag can be stored in the storage pocket when not in use or, when needed, can be extended away from the storage pocket and then turned inside out so that the shoe will be contained therein. The carrying bag is made of flexible material and is large enough to carry a companion shoe. The carrying bag can include a tie cord to close the mouth thereof when desired.

Abstract: Systems including piezoelectric sensor elements advantageously mounted between supporting hard plastic material of various types or other mechanically similar materials. The sensor can further be supported by backup plate structures. Some backup plates show full shoe coverage and others show partial sole coverage. Detachable mounting formed by mechanically interengaging parts allow transducer inserts to be made in a modular manner for use in different sensor shoes or sensor insole pads, thus allowing many more patients to be analyzed and treated through use of the invention. Also disclosed is a digital charge signal integrator circuit.

Abstract: A footwear of the type incorporating a shoe upper, attaching to a shoe sole, with a tongue portion connecting with the toe piece for the shoe upper, with the tongue portion being fabricated of either singular or a pair of liners of material, having hook and pile fastening means provided at its lower edge, and likewise at the upper edge of the toe piece, so that the tongue can be connected to the toe piece, but then readily removed and reversed, so as to disclose its opposite side where a variety of colors or indicia are desired for display during usage and application of the identified structured footwear.

Abstract: An athletic, sport, or leisure shoe utilizing a portion thereof for incorporating training weights to increase the resistance applied against the user's legs which must be overcome when training or exercising.

Abstract: A musical shoe comprises an upper portion attached to a sole portion including a heel and a movable band attached to the upper portion of the shoe for holding it to the foot of a wearer when the band is moved to a closed position, and for effecting removal of the shoe from the foot when the band is moved to an opened position. A circuit panel is mounted on the upper portion of the shoe for producing a speaker drive signal when activated. A speaker is mounted on the shoe and is responsive to a speaker drive signal produced by the circuit panel, for producing an audio signal. A power supply, in the form of a photovoltaic cell, is provided for activating the circuit panel only in response to movement of the band to its opened position.

Abstract: A pair of running shoes provided with a housing at the heel thereof, into one of which an electronic device is removably mounted. The electronic device comprises a normally open inertia switch for producing a footstrike count, an oscillator crystal for providing a stopwatch function, a sound generating device, a battery power source and a gate array for counting time and footstrikes. The electronic device together with a computer and a cable for enabling communication between the computer and the electronic device in the shoe form a computer shoe system for enabling accurate information to be obtained with respect to a period of usage of the shoes of one or more users as well as enabling a running log to be maintained.

Abstract: A removable lace cover strap adapted for use about the instep of a shoe having a knotted lace to prevent the untying thereof, has an elongated strap with an elastic medial portion and opposite end portions with hook and loop fastener patches for attaching the opposite end portions to each other.

Abstract: A zippered pocket for an athletic shoe is formed as a pipe-shaped layer of material having an opening for receiving small personal items such as keys, rolled or folded currency and the like. A cloth upon which the zipper is formed is stitched upon assembly intermediate the pipe-shaped layer of material and the liner material of the shoe quarter and, defines the upper edge of the bowls along its upper edge, stitched intermediate the eyestay and an upper lateral extent of the quarter. The vamp of the shoe is provided with a cover abutting an upwardly extending forward edge of the bowl. Stops are provided at the ends of the zipper. One such is defined by a narrow upwardly extending portion of the pipe bowl intermediate the termination of the zippered portion and the rear edge of the bowl. The other zipper termination is adjacent that upwardly extending portion of the vamp cover abutting the upward curving forward edge of the bowl.

Abstract: A shoe having jewelry removably attached to the heel is disclosed. The preferred attachment includes a hollow tube which is inserted into a hole in the heel. The tube has an inner helical surface for receiving an anchor. The anchor is an elongate element having flexible fingers extending radially outwardly from the element. The tips of the fingers engage the helical inner surface to secure the anchor. Attached to one end of the anchor is a piece of jewelry, or the like, for adornment of the shoe. The jewelry may be easily removed by removing the anchor from the attachment element. Other pieces of jewelry may be attached, or the hole may be covered by a cover attached to a similar anchor.

Abstract: A scented hunting device having a scented material member attached to a flexible, impervious body member. The scented material member is preferably constructed with an absorbent fibrous or felt material and can absorb and be thoroughly infiltrated with a scented substance for masking human odors from animal detection. Co-operating fasteners are attached to the flexible body member for allowing the scented hunting device to be attached to a hunter during hunting.

Abstract: A footwear sole has an outer ply with at least one aperture formed therein. A transparent insert backed with a lenticular element having a distinctive figure and/or text illustrated thereon is mounted within the aperture and behind the transparent insert. At least one inner ply is affixed to the outer ply to secure the insert in place, as well as to provide cushioning and support for a user's foot.

Abstract: Footwear with elastomeric or plastomeric soles, such as boots, sports footwear or leisure footwear, has distinguishing elements or decorations attached to it. The elements comprise a flanged body held by means of a flexible retaining element, which may be part of the footwear itself, which has an aperture therein for allowing the body to be visible while retaining the flange. The elements may be reflective, fluorescent, phosphorescent or photoluminescent.

Abstract: A curling slider is formed from a rigid flat plate member of stainless steel which is hard chromed on an underside. The plate has upcurved side and front edges to avoid scoring of the ice. It is attached to a rigid plastics inner by rear side tabs which receive a flange of the inner and a front tab which is attached to a toe cap portion of the inner. A strap between side walls of the inner is hinged at both ends to the inner so that the rigid inner remains stationary while the shoe flexes. A heel portion can be inserted between the plate and inner. A gripper can be applied to the undersurface of the inner with the plate readily removable. The plate can be attached directly to the sole of a shoe by adhesive and a pin.

Abstract: This is a leather shoe tab for sewing on both the inside and outside of the vamp or quarter of a boot. The tab has one or more parallel essentially straight sided U-shaped cuts along the interior of the tab and completely therethrough. This makes one or more fingers and each finger has one or more eyelets therein. The ends of the finger having the eyelets can be pulled away from the plane of the tab so that hooks on ice chains can be placed therethrough, thus forming ice resistance chains across the sole.

Abstract: A floor cleaning device the use of which does not require the use of one's hands. The device is a towel-like member provided with a pair of pocket members on its top and bottom surfaces. Each of the pocket members is specifically configured and dimensioned to slideably receive therein a human foot so that one desiring to clean a floor may insert one's feet in different ones of the pockets and walk across the support surface to be cleaned after having applied a suitable cleaning solution to the support surface. The act of walking constitutes scrubbing of the support surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to the structure of footwear, and more specifically athletic shoes, but encompasses shoes in general, and pertains to the application of a tab containing identifying indicia or colors removably to various components of the shoe, whether it be the tongue, quarter portion, or side of the shoe sole, and will preferably be structured as a form of support for such indicia and which is recessed within the sides of the shoe sole; and regardless where the support is applied, it may be preferably held in position through the application of hook and pile type of fastener means so that it is readily removable and can be replaced with a support containing indicia of other terms, styles, designs, colors, and patterns.

Abstract: In an athletic shoe having a pocket, generally disposed laterally and mounted upon the quarter portion for the shoe, the pocket comprises a liner of material, or a pair of the same, each stitched or otherwise fastened to the side of the shoe, so that the front and back edges of the pocket are confiningly affixed to the shoe, while the bottom edge of the pocket may be stitched to the quarter panel upwardly of the sole, or the same may be secured with the shoe through the effort of the stitching that holds the sole shank to the shoe quarter portion. Proximate the upward edge of the formed pocket, in one embodiment, is stitched to the shoe near the location of its eyestay, and having a zipper provided through the pocket, or at least its front liner, to attain access into the pocket and wherein miscellaneous personal items may be located for safe keeping, particularly during shoe usage, as when jogging.

Abstract: An agricultural or garden tool attachment for shoes or boots including a bracket, a garden tool adjustably attached to the bracket and an encompassing structure for extending under and around the toe or heel of a boot or shoe. Strap are provided for attaching the encompassing structure to the shoe or boot. Other garden tools designed for many different purposes can be interchangeably attached to the bracket.

Abstract: A tap for attachment to a tap dancing shoe is disclosed. The tap includes pickup means for converting the mechanical vibrational energy generated by the tap striking the floor into a substantially undistorted electrical signal suitable for remote processing and amplification. Also disclosed is a wireless radio transmission system adapted to be carried by a dancer using the shoe whereby the electrical signals picked up by the pickup means are transmitted to a remote receiver/amplifier unit.

Abstract: An electronic pedometer for use on a footwear is disclosed. The pedometer comprises a step sensor and an electric counter connected thereto, both mounted on the instep of the footwear. The step sensor senses a flexing motion that the instep of the footwear undergoes each time of the user just kicks the ground with the footwear and provides upon sensing such motion an output indicative of each step taken by the user. An electronic counter has therein electric components forming a computing circuit which receives the outputs from the sensor to compute based thereupon the number of steps taken and the distance covered, the resulting measurements being visually indicated on a display section of the counter. The sensor and the counter is connected by means of a resilient band by the utilization of which they are secured or mounted on the instep of the footwear.

Abstract: In an athletic, casual, or other form of footwear, constructed having a vamp, sole, quarter, and counter portions, all fabricated into the shoe structure, and incorporating a shoe tongue therewith, the quarter portion(s) for the footwear is fabricated of a pair of liners, the normal inner liner forming the standard quarter portion structure, with an overlying outer liner disposed thereon, arranging in an intermediate spacing therein, and which may function as a pocket for the deposition of personal items, such as keys, coins, or the like therein.

Abstract: in an athletic shoe having a pocket, generally disposed laterally and mounted upon the quarter portion of the shoe, the pocket comprises a liner of material, or a pair of the same, each stitched or otherwise fastened to the side of the shoe, so that various edges of the pocket are confiningly affixed to the shoe, while the bottom edge of the pocket may be stitched to the quarter panel upwardly of the sole, or the same may be secured with the shoe through the effort of the stitching that holds the sole shank to the shoe quarter portion. Proximate the rearward edge of the pocket, in the various embodiments, there is provided a slot opening, which may be securable through the connection of a zipper, so that access may be attained into the pocket for admitting personal items therein.

Abstract: A pocket portion formed extending from the tongue or gusset of a shoe or other footwear and wherein personal items may be contained, the pocket portion is formed of a pair of upper and lower liners, stitched together along their periphery, and having a closure, such as a zipper, for the same after such items have been enclosed therein; the pocket portion can be contiguously held against the shoe upper by means of any fastening device, such as Velcro, a hooking device, or through the use of the lacing that normally secures the shoe upon the foot of the wearer.

Abstract: In an athletic shoe forming a pocket at its quarter portion, the pocket comprises a liner of material, or a pair of the same, each stitched or otherwise fastened to the side or quarter portion of the shoe, and integrally constructed therein, so that the various edges of the pocket are confiningly affixed to the shoe, while the bottom edge of the pocket may be stitched to the quarter panel upwardly of the sole, or may be secured with the shoe through the effort of the stitching or adhesive that holds the quarter portion to the sole shank. Proximate the rearward edge of the pocket, or perhaps forwardly thereof, as in various embodiments, there is provided a slot opening, which may be securable through the connection of a zipper, or other closure means, so that access may be attained into the pocket for admitting personal items therein.

Abstract: An athletic shoe having a quarter and outer material covering portions thereof providing a window in the covering and an access opening into the space between the quarter and outer material.

Abstract: The heel of the shoe, sneaker or other footwear is provided with a Velcro patch at the heel, with the Velcro patch having a cut-out window to accommodate an identification tag, label or health information card, with the label in the cut-out and the Velcro attached to the heel of the shoe being overlain with a releasably-attached flap having Velcro which mates with the shoe-mounted Velcro to form a fluid tight seal about the tag or indicia-carrying label, the heel mounting and the Velcro seal preventing the tag from coming loose from the shoe due to the interaction of the Velcro parts and due to the fact that the heel provides the least flexible area and the least wear receiving area for the shoe. The identity of the individual and other information on the tag is obtained from lifting the flap.

Abstract: An athletic shoe wherein outward expansion of one or more portions of the shoe's foamed, closed cell polymeric midsole is constrained to increase the amount of energy absorbed by the midsole under a wearer-applied load. Various embodiments of this invention provide for the precompression of the constrained midsole portion to further enhance the midsole's energy-absorbing capability.

Abstract: An ornamental attachment for mounting on lacing-type footwear has a support member extends under at least a portion of the lace longitudinally along the lacing opening of the article of footwear and face member having a display surface thereon extends over at least a portion of the lace. The ends of the support member are secured to the face member to provide a transverse passage through which the lace crosses. Various types of ornamental attachment members can be utilized including decorative embroidered patches and removable decals.

Abstract: Boots, particularly cowboy boots, having a looped pullstrap. A reinforced and welted pullstrap is personalized by the attachment of a pullstrap plate to the pullstrap exterior, such that a name panel insert may be inscribed with the wearer's name and affixed to the pullstrap plate.

Abstract: In a pocket for footwear and designed to be the type to wraparound the upper front segment of the shoe, the wraparound pocket comprising a pair of liners, one being an inner liner, the other being an outer liner, approximately one end of the formed pocket securing with a proximate upper quarter portion of the shoe, while the other end of the wraparound pocket releasably secures with the upper segment of the other quarter portion of the shoe, one of the liners having a slot provided therein, and a closure in the category of a zipper providing for closing of the pocket slot during footwear usage.

Abstract: An improved detachable pocket assembly for carrying I.D. cards, photos, coins, keys, tickets and the like on apparel such as shoes includes a pocket formed between front and back faces of sheet material, one of which faces preferably has a transparent plastic window sealed over an opening in it. The pocket can be pivoted in order for the wearer to look into it when wearing it on a shoe. The pocket has at the upper end an opening for access to contents, covered by a first extension at the top of the front face, folds over in a rearward and downward direction for rain shedding and has provision for securing the pocket to apparel, in the form of a strap-like extension from the bottom of the pocket that wraps around the pocket and detachably secures by snaps intermediate the back of the pocket and on the front of the pocket.

Abstract: A shoe having means for displaying a picture or the like comprising a saddle portion having an inner and outer wall, a window in the outer wall, a plastic element secured to the perimeter of the window; a pocket formed by joining the three edges of the window and plastic element to the inner wall with one edge remaining unattached to form an entranceway for the insertion of a display into said pocket; a shoelace carrier comprising an inner member which may be an extension of the inner wall of the saddle and an outer member; the lower edge of the inner member being attached to the upper edge of the inner wall of the saddle or being a part of said inner wall, and the lower edge of the outer member being attached to the outer wall of the saddle; an entranceway to the pocket formed between the inner and outer members of the shoelace carrier and contiguous eyelets in the inner and outer member of the shoelace carrier accommodating a shoestring whereby when the shoestring is laced through the eyelets and tightened

Abstract: A boot or shoe incorporating means (12) for detecting when a step is made, and means (5) for recording and displaying the total of the steps so recorded. The means (5) may be a mechanical counter and may be operated by a push button (11) mounted in the heel of the shoe. Alternatively the counter may be an electronic counter. In either case, the counter may be operated by an inertially operated mechanism. Where electronic counting means is used, the boot or shoe may incorporate a micro-processor and may be arranged to display, at will, such quantities as total number of steps made distance walked, means speed, etc., and may even be associated with pulse rate or blood pressure sensing means whereby these quantities may also be displayed.

Abstract: A quick-attach, quick-detach shoe accessory in the form of a container for carrying keys, rings, paper money, coins and like items on the instep of a tennis shoe or other lace type shoe, has a sheath-like body with open top end with a covering flap and closed bottom and pleated sides securable to a shoe by a tongue attached to the bottom, passing beneath the shoe laced portion and terminating at the top in an end having a pair of shoe-lace holes matching another pair of shoe-lace holes in an upward extension of the body so that shoe laces may be passed through the shoelace holes and tied, holding the container on the top of the instep of the user's foot.

Abstract: Footwear with a sole portion for protecting the lower surface of a foot only and support means for slidably receiving the foot for securing the footwear thereto while leaving the toes, heel, and ankle entirely exposed is provided with a pocket on or in the support means opening outwardly to permit insertion and removal of small items. A closure means at the opening of the pocket permits selective restricting of access to the pocket. In one embodiment the pocket is formed in the space between two superimposed layers of material comprising the support means, and the opening of the pocket is formed in the one of the two layers outermost from the foot of the wearer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for determining the number of steps and the distance walked.The present invention not only accumulates the number of steps walked, but also determines the distance which the walker has walked.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for attachment to shoes to create tap dancing shoes, including heel and toe attachments. Each of the attachments has two pieces, one of which is fixedly attached to the shoe along respective outer edges, having a center cutout with a bridging member proximate one end. The second piece loosely fits within the center cutout of the first piece, and has a pair of projecting ears which loosely nest within cross axis grooves in the first piece, the second piece also having a forward lip and surface for contacting against the bridging member of the first piece for creating a tapping sound.

Abstract: An improved runner's athletic shoe for training and/or racing is disclosed. The improved shoe comprises a preformed, cushioned unitary sole-heel structure and a lightweight, laced vamp upper structure extending from the base structure. The improvement comprises a weight pocket at the outside of a toe region of the upper structure, for receiving removeable weights therein at a maximum moment arm relative to rotation of the runner's ankle. Further improvements in heel and side pockets for additional weights are also disclosed.