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

Abstract: Disclosed is a lock catch for connecting upper and sole that comprises matched male buckle member and female buckle member which contains a platform, and the said male buckle member and the said female buckle member are coupled with each other. This invention avoids the use of glue which leads to the decrease of the pollution of the environment. Besides, this lock catch is simple in design, and only a few such kind of lock catches are needed in every pair of shoes to realize a firm connection of upper and sole, which results in the reduction of cost and the improvement of production efficiency. The lock catch of the invention is particularly suitable for the connection of upper and sole of sandals, slippers and hollow shoes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a footwear construction and method of constructing footwear that may include an outsole having a sidewall that defines a perimeter of the outsole. The footwear construction may also include an upper coupled to the sidewall around the perimeter of the outsole, wherein the sidewall overlaps the upper by less than the critical distance for at least 60% of the perimeter of the outsole.

Abstract: An orthopedic device includes a strut assembly having a resilient shell defining opposed first and second sides, and a patient compliance system. The patient compliance includes a tightening strap connecting the first and second sides of the shell. The tightening strap has first and second end portions arranged for incremental uni-directional adjustment relative to at least one of the first and second sides of the strut assembly. The tightening strap is arranged to bend the shell and draw the first and second sides thereof toward one another.

Abstract: Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) a sole structure; (b) an upper having lateral and medial side elements engaged with the sole structure, the upper made from a polymer matrix structure that extends through at least a heel region; (c) a size adjustment mechanism located at the heel region; (d) a heel tongue element located adjacent the size adjustment mechanism; (e) a shoe securing mechanism; (f) an instep tongue member; and/or (g) a bootie member located at least partially within the foot-receiving chamber. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed.

Abstract: A custom shoe fabrication method comprises the steps of forming a shoe having an upper and an outsole with the upper is detachably attached to the outsole, detaching the upper from the outsole, printing an image on a thermal transfer sheet, ironing the printed image on the upper, and attaching to the outsole the upper having the image printed thereon.

Abstract: An orthopedic device includes a strut assembly having a resilient shell defining opposed first and second sides, and a patient compliance system. The patient compliance includes a tightening strap connecting the first and second sides of the shell. The tightening strap has first and second end portions arranged for incremental uni-directional adjustment relative to at least one of the first and second sides of the strut assembly. The tightening strap is arranged to bend the shell and draw the first and second sides thereof toward one another.

Abstract: Method for sealing seams in shoes having an exterior upper with a lower end, an interior upper with a lower end, an insole with a circumferential edge, and a sole, the lower end of the exterior upper, the lower end of the interior upper, and the outer edge of the insole being sewn together, characterized in that a tape is selected that is provided on both sides with a layer that is adhesive at room temperature, and that this tape is used to join and fix the lower end of the exterior upper to the lower end of the interior upper before the exterior upper, interior upper, and insole are sewn together.

Abstract: A convertible shoe includes a shoe base having shoe base surfaces; fastener structures; at least two interchangeable shoe parts removably attachable with the fastener structures to at least one of the base surfaces to selectively produce a desired shoe configuration. The shoe base preferably includes an elongate panel having substantially the shape and size of a shoe sole for a given user, and the base surfaces to which the fastener structures are secured include longitudinal panel side surfaces, panel front and rear surfaces and panel top and bottom surfaces. The shoe parts preferably include a number of shoe top structures of various configurations and a number of shoe bottom structures of various configurations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe that has a socklining with a periphery, a sole with a periphery, an upper placed above the socklining and extending downwardly around the periphery of the socklining and between the socklining and the sole. The shoe further includes a stitch extending through the socklining, upper, and sole for securing the upper between the socklining and sole and where the stitch extends around the peripheries of both the socklining and sole.

Abstract: A modular shoe includes an upper with an upper side and a lower side, a chassis releasably arranged in an interior of the upper, and a plurality of studs. Each stud is releasably attached to the chassis through the lower side of the upper. The lower side of the upper is clamped between the chassis and at least one of the attached studs. The invention also relates to the various components used in a modular shoe in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for a ladies shoe to be constructed of a heel comprising multiple heel columns each attached as desired by the user to attain the preferred heel length.

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

Abstract: A method of fabricating an in-line roller skate is provided. The in-line roller skate has a chassis (2;39) equipped with at least two rollers (3) and two platforms (4, 5; 34; 47) and a boot (1; 30). The boot has a supple upper connected to a lower panel and is capable of enclosing a wear's foot. The method includes the steps of (a) inserting a rigid insole (17; 31, 50; 55; 56) into the boot; (b) fixing fasteners between the rigid insole and the chassis, thus sandwiching the lower panel therebetween; and (c) optionally, inserting a comfort sole into the boot to cover the rigid insole.

Abstract: A unique athletic shoe sole that is constructed of two more separate pieces designed to release when a predetermined longitudinally directed force is applied. A releasable athletic shoe sole includes a detachable lower sole; a mechanical release mechanism constructed to release when a predetermined force is applied; and a longitudinal guiding element. The longitudinal guiding element allows the lower sole to detach specifically in a longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction of release prevents knee ligament injuries, particularly ACL injuries.

Abstract: Each shoe in accordance with the present invention has a shoe sole, an upper, reinforcing pieces, a welt and nails. The shoe sole has a top surface, a bottom surface, a round side, slots and reinforcing pieces. The slots are defined through the top surface near the round side of the shoe sole. The reinforcing pieces are mounted respectively in the slots. The upper has bottom edge. The welt is attached to the bottom edge of the upper. Nails are driven into the shoe sole through the welt and the reinforcing pieces in the slots to attach the upper to the shoe sole. The reinforcing pieces provide a resilient pliable medium to hold the nails so the shoes in accordance with prevent invention can be used for longer time.

Abstract: An ornamental and useful footcover and methods for producing and using the same. The footcover includes a first toe pocket adapted to contain a particular one of the toes of a foot, a second pocket adapted to contain at least one of the remaining toes of the foot, and a third pocket adapted to contain the sole of the foot. The first and second toe pockets and the third pocket are connected to form an integral enclosure to contain a medication and prevent the medication from being transported out of the integral enclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the enclosure is made from a material for forming a barrier that does not permit passage of the medication. In another preferred embodiment, the sole and toe pockets have edges that prevent the passage of the medication out of the enclosure past the edges. In use, the medication is placed in the footcover, which is then placed on the foot by inserting the toes into the toe pocket and then pulling the third pocket over the sole of the foot.

Abstract: A shoe including an upper, a mid sole permanently attached thereto, and an outer sole releasably engaged with the mid sole. The outer sole and mid sole are secured together by a fastener and by a retaining lip. The fastener can be disposed in a capture position wherein the spaced apart lip precludes separation of the mid sole and outer sole. Upon disposing the fastener in a release position, the mid sole can be separated from the outer sole.

Abstract: A bowling overshoe includes an upper formed from a stretchable sheet material and two outsole portions attached independently of each other.

Abstract: A replaceable elastic air cushion shoe structure includes a sole, and a vamp. The sole has a top provided with a plurality of oblique conical locking grooves and having a periphery provided with a plurality of waterproof ribs. The sole has a periphery defining a plurality of locking recesses each provided with a catch piece. The vamp has a bottom provided with a plurality of oblique conical locking blocks each locked in the locking groove of the sole. The bottom of the vamp defines a plurality of waterproof slots for receiving the waterproof ribs of the sole therein so that the vamp is integrally formed with the sole. A plurality of U-shaped snapping pieces are each secured in the bottom of the vamp and each have two sides each provided with a hook.

Abstract: A process for attaching a shoe upper to a sole by employing staples includes forming apertures near the edge of the sole so that ends of the upper can be inserted into the apertures and attached to the sole by way of staples after the edge of the sole has been displaced. The edges of the sole are preferably adhered to the staples so that the staples remain hidden behind the edges that form the periphery of the shoe sole.

Abstract: A process for attaching a shoe upper to a sole includes the steps of forming clasps having inner and outer staples, folding the clasps around the ends or edge of the upper so that the inner staples attach the clasps to the upper, and inserting clasped portions of the upper into corresponding apertures formed in the sole so that the outer staples attach the upper to the sole.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fastener suitable for use in attaching a plastic heel to a shoe. The fastener comprises a generally flat head portion and at least three shank portions extending from the head portion. Each shank portion has at least one aperture therein into which melted or softened plastic material of the heel can flow and upon solidification, lock the fastener to the heel.