Abstract: An electric massage shoe assembly includes a shoe with a conductive unit received therein which has a receptacle, a first wire and at least one conductive rod which extends through an insole unit and is in contact with wearer's foot. A frequency current generating unit is electrically connected to the receptacle of the conductive unit so as to transfer frequency current to the wearer's foot and stimulate the wearer's foot.

Abstract: A portable shoe comprises a shoe body and a toe-separating massager, wherein the shoe body having a shoe sole and a vamp, and a front end of the top surface of the shoe sole is formed with a containing groove for fixing the toe-separating massager. The toe-separating massager is disposed with a plurality of separating posts and engaging grooves on the top surface thereof that are arranged staggered, and each engaging groove is engaged with a rotatable biochemical ball. By such arrangements, when the user puts on the shoe, the present invention can rectify the positions of the toes and can massage the toes by the bioelectricity discharged by the biochemical balls.

Abstract: A ventilated shoe includes an outsole; an insole including projections; and a space defined by the insole and the outsole and including resilient pillars in the instep and interconnected the insole and the outsole, a battery compartment, second compartments, motor-driven vibrating devices located in the second compartments, an exposed first switch, a heating element, an exposed second switch, and a circuit board with the first and second switches provided on its edge. Turning on the first switch will activate the vibrating devices to vibrate the projections to perform a first operation to massage the sole. Turning on the second switch will activate the heating element to perform a second operation to warm the foot.

Abstract: An insole is described that can be placed with an insole receiving area of a slipper. The insole can be prepared by compression molding a structure comprising a foam layer having a first foam side and a second foam side. The insole includes a heel region, an arch region, and a toe region. The heel region includes a heel cushioning portion and a heel perimeter portion. The heel perimeter portion includes a retaining wall that extends above the top surface of the heel cushioning portion. The arch region includes an arch cushioning portion and an arch perimeter portion. The arch perimeter portion includes an arch support that extends above the top surface of the arch cushioning portion. The toe region includes a toe cushioning portion and a toe perimeter portion. A slipper and a method for manufacturing a slipper are described.

Abstract: A sandal (100) is disclosed having a relatively rugged bottom sole (102), the may be formed form a thermoplastic rubber, a relatively thick middle sole (120), that may be formed from an ethylene vinyl acetate foam, and a massaging upper sole (130) that may be formed form a polyurethane/latex blend. The upper sole includes a large plurality of upright fingers 134) generally having rounded top surface, providing a massaging action during use. A strap assembly (400) is provided, that may be attached between the upper sole and the middle sole. In an embodiment of the sandal, a crushable foam layer (125) is disposed between the middle layer and the upper layer, providing additional resiliency especially during the initial usage of the sandal.

Abstract: A wearable medical treatment system and method are provided for the treatment of tissue ailments and/or conditions including vascular disease, deep vein thrombosis, orthostatic intolerance, reduced blood flow, weak bone structure, orthostatic hypotension, or other conditions, using a vibrating plate. The wearable system and method use magnetic layers to generate magnetic fields to provide vertical and/or horizontal vibrational motion to a platform, thus allowing the system to have a low profile.

Abstract: A footwear includes a shoe sole having one or more cavities formed in the upper portion each for receiving a cushioning member, the cushioning member includes a massaging member movable up and down relative to the casing and having an upper portion for engaging with and for massaging a foot of a user, and a spring member received in the cavity of the shoe sole and engaged with the massaging member for biasing and moving the massaging member upwardly beyond the upper portion of the shoe sole to engaging with and to massaging the foot of the user. A casing is engaged into the cavity of the shoe sole and having a chamber for receiving the spring member.

Abstract: A kind of hygienical shoes with mobile magnet piece, which can produce the static and dynamic magnet field for the sole of foot of human body, especially it can carry out the magnetotherapy for the sole of foot with take advantage of the static and dynamic magnet field generated respectively at sole when human body stops and walks. Wherein the shoe sole includes a lower sole and a insole covering on the upper surface of the lower sole; the grooves is set on the upper surface of insole, and the mobile magnet pieces is provided on the bottom of groove. When the shoes according to the present invention are wore on foot for walking, as the foot lift up and fall down, the front and back portions of grooves will change their relative position repeatedly, and the magnet pieces in the grooves will move fore-and-aft depending on the obliquity of the bottom of groove under the effect of gravity, which result in the movement of magnet field, i.e. the dynamic magnet field.

Abstract: A ventilated shore includes an outsole; an insole including projections; and a space defined by the insole and the outsole and including resilient pillars in the instep and interconnected the insole and the outsole, a battery compartment, second compartments, motor-driven vibrating devices located in the second compartments, an exposed first switch, a heating element, an exposed second switch, and a circuit board with the first and second switches provided on its edge. Turning on the first switch will activate the vibrating devices to vibrate the projections to perform a first operation to massage the sole. Turning on the second switch will activate the heating element to perform a second operation to warm the foot.

Abstract: A waterproof bathing slipper having a plurality of nodules for massaging and stimulating specific parts of the soles and sides of the users feet. The present invention includes static and electrically operated pulsating nodules disposed in such a manner as to stimulate specific regions of the foot as applied by the principles of reflexology.

Abstract: A sole component for footwear combining the desirable response characteristics of a fluid filled chamber and an elastomeric material. The chamber can be formed as a single bladder chamber in contact with an elastomeric midsole, or a single chamber formed by a sealing a void in elastomeric material. The interface between the chamber and elastomeric material is sloped and gradual so that the shape of the chamber and its placement in a midsole determine the combination of response characteristics in the sole component. The chamber has a relatively simple shape with one axis of symmetry with a rounded portion and a narrow portion.

Abstract: A method for providing an insole and an insole for footwear for increased sensory stimulation of a foot in the footwear. The method comprises preselecting positions on the foot with nerves at these positions to be stimulated and providing means for stimulating elevation of said insole at said preselected positions during step movement of said foot on said insole.

Abstract: A modified athletic shoe that has a motorized massaging apparatus that moves back and forth within the base of the shoe. The massaging apparatus can be turned on and off as desired, and furthermore, is powered by rechargeable batteries that are located within the shoe.

Abstract: A health-promoting insole includes bamboo charcoal powder mixed with filament fibers. Via the bamboo charcoal powder added at the upper and bottom layers of the insole, the insole thereof is equipped with strong moisture absorbent capabilities as well as anti-bacteria and deodorization effects.

Abstract: A massage shoe comprises a controller and a shoe body. The inner foot supporting surface of the shoe body is provided with a plurality of conducting sheets, which are respectively connected by conducting wires to a selected location on a vamp or in the heel of the shoe body, and then to the controller for providing a foot with a mid-or-low-frequency electromagnetic wave massage. The controller can be separated from the shoe body and controls the shoe body by a wired or a wireless means. The controller can be connected to other electric massage devices for supplying pulses. The heel of the shoe body is provided with a polarity switch for changing polarity of each of the conducting sheets, whereby the massage effect can be local to a foot or global across two feet, if a pair of shoe bodies is electrically connected.

Abstract: A cushioning member for an article of footwear. The cushioning member is a flexible bladder having a fluidly interconnected heel chamber and forefoot chamber. The bladder is disposed above the sole and beneath the wearer's foot to provided added cushioning to the wearer. The bladder contains air at slightly above ambient pressure and can be formed by thermoforming or by welding two sheets of resilient, flexible material together. A connecting passage fluidly connects the heel chamber and the forefoot chamber. The connecting passage is narrow to control the flow of air between the two chambers.

Abstract: An insole construction for footwear comprising a base member, an intermediate member formed of a foam and having a plurality of substantially uniformly spaced raised cushioning elements on the upper surface thereof, and a flexible cover member surrounding the intermediate member and extending beneath the base member. The intermediate member preferably is formed of a foam such as polyurethane foam. The raised cushioning elements are of a height of approximately 6 millimeters above the upper surface of the intermediate member and are spaced approximately 10–30 millimeters from each other.

Abstract: An insole for footwear, including a plurality of compressible protrusions. An arrangement is provided for interconnecting the compressible protrusions, the interconnecting arrangement being adapted to ensure strict compression of the compressible protrusions upon acceptance of a compressive force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a material with a substrate and a plurality of compressible projections connected to the substrate. The projections may be formed in a thermoplastic substrate to have a variety of shapes, including a shape that defines a base portion and a spring portion. The spring portion may have a structure of a belleville spring that exhibits a non-linear and bi-stable response to compressive forces. The material may be incorporated into an upper for an article of footwear, thereby providing the footwear with enhanced fit and comfort characteristics.

Abstract: An inner sole structure includes an insole integrally woven to form a plurality of resilient areas with supporting hoops and buffer areas without the supporting hoops thereof defining the upper surface thereon wherein the resilient and the buffer areas thereof can be made in any shapes like rectangles, triangles, or tilted stripes and be alternatively interrelated in regular or irregular arrangement thereof. The supporting hoops thereof are stood upright with vents defined therein and dividing passages formed at the adjacent sides thereof, and a coupling facet is disposed at the bottom side of the insole thereon to be integrally combined with a loading pad via thermal pressure operation to generate heat welding thereby. Thus, the resilient areas with the supporting hoops of a proper hardness can flexibly sustain the sole of a human foot stepped downwards thereon, stimulating blood circulation and providing a better massage effect.

Abstract: A shoe with a foot-massaging effect comprises a sole, optionally with a heel, and a top material. A cushion containing a massage element and/or active medical agents is provided in the interior of the shoe, above the sole, said cushion has a flexible base panel on the bottom, corresponding to the shape of the sole, and an elastic protective nonwoven fabric on the top, the latter being permanently connected to said base panel. A toe cap containing active medical agents can also be provided in the tip of the shoe. These measures result in a fairly significant foot-massaging effect and at the same time, enable the show to be used without creating an odor.

Abstract: A comfortable, supportive odor absorbing insole covering the inner sole of footwear has a bottom inner sole engaging open cellular resilient cushion layer, impregnated with odor adsorbing chemicals such as activated charcoal zeolites, or silica gel, and a natural pile top layer such as lambskin shearling providing comfortable support and loft while protecting the foot or sock of the wearer against discoloration or irritation from the absorbent chemicals. The layers of the insole are laminated into integral unitary relation by heat sealing or by glue or binders which do not impede flow of air. The layers may also be simply stretched together. The alternating application and release of foot pressure on the insole, as when walking, will circulate air in the footwear into intimate contact with the chemical for absorption of moisture and destruction of foot odors.

Abstract: A stratified insole for the internal ventilation and the control of the microclimate of a shoe of the type including a sole, if necessary provided with holes intercommunicating with the inside of the shoe, in correspondence with the internal side of which a ventilated stratified insole is joined. The insole is composed of at least one layer of thermoplastic material whose upper interface is shaped with a plurality of channels and is positioned above the upper part of a layer of transpiring material for the support of the sole of the foot. The insole is peripherally shaped according to the shape of the sole of the foot and is obtained by connecting a first layer made from transpiring rigid or semi-rigid material, a second layer made from insulating material, a third layer made from insulating material, and a fourth layer made from transpiring material.

Abstract: Footwear providing enhanced protection against extreme landing impacts includes a sole having an elastomeric mid-sole with elastomeric pads combined in a heel recess thereof such that the pads act in series with each other and in parallel with the mid-sole during conjoint compression thereof. At least one of the pads includes a solid gel having a relatively high damping coefficient. In another embodiment, the heel of the mid-sole is replaced by a toroidal gas cushion and an elastomeric pad including a solid gel having a relatively high damping coefficient disposed in a central recess of the cushion such that the pad is recessed a selected distance below the upper surface of the cushion. The resilient pads may advantageously incorporate a plurality of gas-filled cells, and a solid gel pad may also be disposed in the mid-sole of the footwear below the ball of the wearer's foot for increased protection.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a floating massage pad structure having several messaging protrusions which normally float under to facilitate the rubbing and message made by the massage pad structure, comprising a flexible pad, a plurality of floating chambers in some portions within the surface that provide a plurality of mushroom-shaped massage protrusions; an opposing member disposed below the massage protrusion; a pair of repulsive magnetic members respectively disposed on the massage protrusion and the corresponding opposing member, such that the repulsion of the magnetic members makes the massage protrusions float under normal conditions, giving a sense of touching our skin before the massage, providing a multi-directional massage during the massage, and having a caressing effect after the massage.

Abstract: An insole is described that can be placed with an insole receiving area of a slipper. The insole can be prepared by compression molding a structure comprising a foam layer having a first foam side and a second foam side. The insole includes a heel region, an arch region, and a toe region. The heel region includes a heel cushioning portion and a heel perimeter portion. The heel perimeter portion includes a retaining wall that extends above the top surface of the heel cushioning portion. The arch region includes an arch cushioning portion and an arch perimeter portion. The arch perimeter portion includes an arch support that extends above the top surface of the arch cushioning portion. The toe region includes a toe cushioning portion and a toe perimeter portion. A slipper and a method for manufacturing a slipper are described.

Abstract: A shock absorbing bladder for use in the sole of an article of footwear is disclosed. The bladder includes a plurality of inflated chambers at different pressure levels. The bladder includes a first sealed chamber formed of a barrier material. The first chamber contains a fluid at a first fluid pressure. A second sealed chamber also forms part of the bladder. The second chamber is formed of a second barrier material and contains an inflation fluid at a second fluid pressure that is greater than said first fluid pressure. The second chamber is operatively coupled to the first chamber so that the inflation fluid from the second chamber moves into the first chamber to replenish fluid leaving the first chamber.

Abstract: The invention is an elastomeric, energy-management cushion formed of at least one or more spaced, expandable, geometrically shaped cushioning elements disposed in a pattern on supporting base. The cushioning elements each have a plurality of angularly spaced projections, the projections of each cushioning element being interspersed between and spaced from the projections of the adjacent cushioning elements. The interspersed projections absorb and distribute compression forces applied to the cushioning elements as triangulated vector forces within the projections forming the respective cushioning elements, to which the compression forces are applied thereby providing an elastomeric, energy-management cushion.

Abstract: An insole construction for footwear comprising a base member, an intermediate member formed of a soft foam and having a plurality of substantially uniformly spaced raised cushioning elements on the upper surface thereof, and a flexible cover member surrounding the intermediate member and extending beneath the base member. The intermediate member preferably is formed of a foam such as polyurethane foam. The raised cushioning elements are of a height of approximately 6 millimeters above the upper surface of the intermediate member and are spaced approximately 10-30 millimeters from each other.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing system and device for footwear, and a footwear article including the device. The shock-absorbing device has a plurality of first projections distributed on and extending upwardly from the upper surface in contact with the user's foot, and a plurality of second projections distributed on and extending downwardly from the lower surface in contact with the ground. During the flexion of the foot when stepping, the second projections yield elastically, and displace the first projections upwards and into contact with the foot. The first projections move in a plurality of directions, achieving a massage action, the shock-absorbing, and the uniform distribution of the load on the foot.

Abstract: A cushioning member for an article of footwear. The cushioning member is a flexible bladder having a fluidly interconnected heel chamber and forefoot chamber. The bladder is disposed above the sole and beneath the wearer's foot to provided added cushioning to the wearer. The bladder contains air at slightly above ambient pressure and can be formed by thermoforming or by welding two sheets of resilient, flexible material together. A connecting passage fluidly connects the heel chamber and the forefoot chamber. The connecting passage is narrow to control the flow of air between the two chambers.

Abstract: A hollow sole is formed within the sole of a shoe wherein a top component having a flat portion and an outer wall is adhered to a bottom component wherein the depth of the outer wall defines an enclosed space between the top and bottom components. The outer wall of the top component and the walls of the bottom component that rise to and fall from the weld lines are made with flexible ridges which provides a bellowing effect when the pressure of the foot is pushed down on the sole. In one embodiment, a fluidly connected inside compartment and outside compartment are created by welded lines adhering the bottom component to the top component. In an alternate embodiment, the hollow sole may contain foam for extra support. Fluid pockets and other flow structures are bored into the foam to allow for the dynamic fluid flow.

Abstract: A support structure for a shoe includes a bladder arrangement having at least one (and preferably two) fluid-filled chamber arranged in a heel region of the sole of the shoe. The fluid-filled chamber has outer walls with a pressurized fluid disposed therein. The fluid-filled chamber is configured to be compressively deformed when an external pressure is applied thereto, such as the pressure exerted by a wearer's foot. The support structure also includes at least one pillar disposed in the fluid-filled chamber. The pillars are configured to decrease the amount by which the fluid-filled chamber is compressively deformed when the external pressure is applied thereto, while still permitting the fluid-filled chambers to be deformed sufficiently to provide adequate protection against the force of impact during use.

Abstract: Footwear including an insole formed for relieving pressure on a common digital nerve of a foot. The insole has heel, mid and forefoot sections. The forefoot section of the insole is formed with a pad having a neuroma pad section which underlies the third and fourth metatarsal heads of the foot, so that when a bottom of the foot is placed on the insole, the neuroma pad section applies an upward force to the bottom of the foot sufficient to spread the third and fourth metatarsal heads away from one another and thereby relieve pressure on the third common digital nerve to reduce the risk of neuroma. In other embodiments, the pad is formed as a separate pad for placement in footwear. An insole designed for use with thonged footwear is also disclosed.

Abstract: A footwear is constructed to include a sole provided with a breathable body at the top and an upper fastened to the sole for securing a foot. The breathable body is made of a plurality of intertwined elastic filaments having a compacted portion in an area in the breathable body and a design impressed on a surface of the compacted portion.

Abstract: A sole component for footwear formed as a single bladder chamber in contact with an elastomeric midsole, or a single chamber formed by a sealing a void in elastomeric material. The interface between the chamber and elastomeric material is sloped and gradual so that the shape of the chamber and its placement in a midsole determine the combination of response characteristics in the sole component. The chamber has one axis of symmetry with a rounded portion and a narrow portion. The chamber has a relatively large volume, is devoid of internal connections, and has an internal pressure within 5 psi of ambient pressure, and preferably at ambient pressure. Since air is used as the fluid, no specialized gases are required. No specialized films or bladder materials are required where the chamber is formed as a bladder, since the bladder is not highly pressurized.

Abstract: The present invention addresses an elastomeric sole having a sidewall with a height less that 0.625 inch, forming a cavity and a horizontally disposed rim extending from the top surface of the sidewall. The sole includes at least two upstanding regions extending upwardly from the cavity lower surface, each region formed from elastomer and having a different effective modulus of elasticity. The invention also includes the combination of an elastomeric sole and an upper and a method for sewing an elastomeric sole to an upper by means of a converted sewing machine.

Abstract: A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a slipper having good draining functions so that perspiration, water, sand, and dirt will not accumulate in the slipper and to provide comfortable enhanced support with a special massaging effect on the foot sole of the user with respect to the user's motion and wear.

Abstract: For performing a zonal therapy on feet without going to experts masseurs, in the plantar of a clog (1) there are inserted small nails having a cap shaped head (2) with a different diameter, which puts out of the plantar itself. Said nails are inserted in points or zones corresponding to organs of the human body which should be stimulated by a reflex action due to the massage resulting from the walking with the clogs.

Abstract: An inner sole (1) has a base sole (2) which consists of a foamed material layer. A cover layer (20) is deposited over the material layer (10, 30). Whilst the foamed material layer (10, 30) has a hardness of preferably between 10° and 20° Shore A, by way of the cover layer (20) one achieves an inner sole (1) which as a whole has a hardness between 30° and 40° Shore A. The foamed material layer may be of latex and/or polyurethane foam.

Abstract: A stress reduction kit includes a display package holding a pair of perforated reflex pin holders each with a printed foot reflexology chart integrally formed thereon. To facilitate creating pressure points on the feet of a user, the stress reduction kit also includes a bag of reflex pins, where each pin is dimensioned to be received in a friction tight fit into any one of the perforations disposed in the reflex pin holders and a set of instructions that guide a user on the placement of individual ones of the reflex pins in respective ones of the reflex pin holders. In accordance with the method of the present invention, when the user inserts the reflex pins in selected ones of the perforations and places the reflex pin holders within his or her shoes, desired body responses are achieved relative to the pressure points created by the pins against the feet of the user.

Abstract: A shoe with a foot-massaging effect comprises a sole, optionally with a heel, and a top material. A cushion containing a massage element and/or active medical agents is provided in the interior of the shoe, above the sole, said cushion has a flexible base panel on the bottom, corresponding to the shape of the sole, and an elastic protective nonwoven fabric on the top, the latter being permanently connected to said base panel. A toe cap containing active medical agents can also be provided in the tip of the shoe. These measures result in a fairly significant foot-massaging effect and at the same time, enable the show to be used without creating an odor.

Abstract: A foot stimulating shoe insole including: an insole member of a somewhat soft material; a plurality of ventilation and fastening holes are opened in the insole member from the top surface to the bottom surface thereof; a plurality of ventilation-maintaining projecting portions that have a certain height and are disposed on the bottom surface of the insole member; and stimulating projecting elements disposed in the ventilation and fastening holes, each of the stimulating projecting elements having a stimulating part in its head part, a supporting shaft in its intermediate part, and a projecting anchoring part having an inverted truncated circular cone shape at its lower end. The stimulating parts have an inverted bowl shape and come in several types with different thicknesses. Also, the material of the insole member uses mugwort as a part of the material.

Abstract: A double-layer sandal includes a sandal sole, a sandal top, a basic layer, a first netted layer and a second netted layer. The first netted layer is combined on the sandal sole, made of much plastic elastic thread interwoven together forming lots of solid and irregular rings, with numerous gaps formed among the elastic thread. The second netted layer combined on the first netted layer is made of a great deal of plastic elastic thread interwoven forming a great many solid and irregular rings, and having numerous gaps formed among the elastic rayon. The second netted layer has a smaller thickness, greater density and smaller gaps than the first netted layer. The first netted layer has great elasticity and good effect of ventilation and water penetration, and the second netted layer has a flat surface.

Abstract: A shoe having an upper and a sole, the sole including a wear sole and an intermediary sole. The intermediary sole includes an upper surface and a bottom surface, a rear zone provided to support the user's heel zone, and a front zone provided to support the user's forefoot zone. In the front zone, the upper surface includes a plurality of top protuberances and the bottom surface includes a plurality of bottom protuberances, each top protuberance of at least one portion of the plurality of top protuberances is vertically aligned with a bottom protuberance so as to constitute shock-absorbing cylindrical studs that are linked to one another only by their central portion.

Abstract: An insole construction for footwear comprising a base member, an intermediate member formed of a soft foam and having a plurality of substantially uniformly spaced raised cushioning elements on the upper surface thereof, and a flexible cover member surrounding the intermediate member and extending beneath the base member. The intermediate member preferably is formed of a foam such as polyurethane foam having a density rating of approximately 60-90. The raised cushioning elements are of a height of approximately 6 millimeters above the upper surface of the intermediate member and are spaced approximately 10-30 millimeters from each other. The thickness of the intermediate member is approximately 6 millimeters.

Abstract: A stress reduction kit includes a display package holding a pair of perforated reflex pin holders each with a printed foot reflexology chart integrally formed thereon. To facilitate creating pressure points on the feet of a user, the stress reduction kit also includes a bag of reflex pins, where each pin is dimensioned to be received in a friction tight fit into any one of the perforations disposed in the reflex pin holders and a set of instructions that guide a user on the placement of individual ones of the reflex pins in respective ones of the reflex pin holders. In accordance with the method of the present invention, when the user inserts the reflex pins in selected ones of the perforations and places the reflex pin holders within his or her shoes, desired body responses are achieved relative to the pressure points created by the pins against the feet of the user.

Abstract: An integrated forming shoe having massage and shock-proof effects includes an arched and bulged section corresponding to the arch portion of human sole. The arched and bulged section has a profile and height matching the arch portion of the sole. A massage block is embedded in the interior of the insole corresponding to the arched and bulged section for stimulating the vital point reflection zone on the arch portion (i.e. Yung Chuan vital points) to attain massage and stimulation effect.

Abstract: A slipper which has an aperture in the bottom and three different types of inserts which can be inserted into the aperture. The first insert will be filled with a material that conforms to the wearer's foot, while the second insert will be filled with a mixture of sand and marbles. The third insert will be filled with neoprene balls.

Abstract: A health-diet sandal which comprises a shoe sole having a heel portion adapted for biasing against an arch portion of a wearer's foot, and a shoe body comprising a vamp attached on top of the shoe sole to define a foot chamber between the vamp and the shoe sole, and an elongated elastic unit having two ends extended from two sides of the vamp adapted for mounting behind a heel of the wearer's foot, so as to hold the wearer's foot within the foot chamber in position. Therefore, the nervous distributed around the arch portion of the wearer's foot is able to be stimulated by the heel portion of the shoe sole for improving the wearer's blood circulation and metabolism.