Abstract: A method and kit of parts for measuring the comfortable shape of a foot for a person. The kit comprises front and rear platforms of adjustable height and a supporting surface for accommodating the plantar surface of a foot extending between said platforms. The aforementioned components can be adjusted to various settings with a view to determining a comfortable plantar foot shape. The foot shape can then be captured by scanning with an optical or mechanical probe or scanner. A method of making a customized shoe and shoe last on basis of the captured foot shape is also disclosed.

Abstract: A shoe insole is injection molded from composite materials, the composite materials includes 62%-80% by weight of nylon and 20%-38% by weight of short fiber material.

Abstract: A shoe sole includes an insole having front vent holes; and an outsole comprising a heel comprising an open cavity, a first check valve extending from the cavity to the external, and a flexible protrusion on the heel bottom; a cover fitted on the cavity and comprising grooves and a second check valve communicating with the grooves and the cavity; front projections on the outsole top; and a channel on the arch top. Foot stepping will compress the protrusion to close the first check valve and open the second check valve such that air within the cavity is expelled to a sole of the foot via the second check valve, the grooves, the channel, and the vent holes. Foot lifting will return the protrusion to its original shape with the first check valve open and the second check valve closed so as to draw air into the cavity.

Abstract: A removable insole for insertion into footwear, includes a lower layer made of a viscoelastic gel and including a lower surface, an upper surface, a toe portion, a heel portion and a medial arch portion interconnecting the toe portion and the heel portion, a first recess formed in the lower surface of the toe portion and a second recess formed in the lower surface of the heel portion, each recess having a peripheral side wall and a top wall, a plurality of thin, parallel, spaced apart sinusoidal wave shaped spring walls formed from the viscoelastic gel and connected to the top wall and the peripheral side wall in each recess, and the spring walls having lower edges generally coplanar with a lower surface of the toe portion and heel portion which is in surrounding relation to the respective recess; and a top cover secured to the upper surface of the lower layer.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes at least one of an upper and a segmented sole structure. The sole structure may include an insole portion and a plurality of discrete sole elements disposed within an outsole unit. The insole is positioned adjacent the upper and may extend along a longitudinal length of the upper. The sole elements extend from the connecting portion, and the sole elements are separated by a plurality of flexible regions.

Abstract: A foot pad for relieving pain while engaging in weight bearing activity is provided. A pad can include an arch portion fitting under and adjacent to the medial longitudinal arch of the foot, offsetting the soft tissue of the medial longitudinal arch thereby supporting the calcaneo-navicular ligament structure, wherein the arch portion extends from front to rear, of the longitudinal medial arch, and the arch portion extends from the medial side towards the lateral side, of the longitudinal medial arch.

Abstract: An anti-static sole is provided with a pad body between a midsole and an insole. In the pad body is provided a chip resistor. The chip resistor includes a connecting pin at each of two opposite ends thereof. The two connecting pins of the chip resistor are electrically connected to the insole and the midsole, respectively. Since the chip resistor has no exposed wires, damage to the wires is avoided. Further, the anti-static effect can be improved since the resistance of the chip resistor is stable.

Abstract: Insoles with sock liners are provided for shoes. An insole in accordance with the invention is most useful in a shoe that has a transparent portion in its sole, although it is not required to be used in that type of shoe. The insole is formed of at least two portions a window and a sock liner. In some embodiments the sock liner also acts as an insole board. In other embodiments the sock liner is in addition to the insole board.

Abstract: A shoe with a permanent magnet including a basic body having a magnetic North Pole and a magnetic South Pole and being elastically deformable solves the problem of realizing a shoe which is able to provide its wearer with information about the material properties and the condition of the shoe.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices, methods, and kits for reducing joint pain and treating conditions of weight-bearing joints. The methods are accomplished through the use of a cushioned wedged insole or slab that selectively reduces pressure by cushioning impact and redistributing forces away from affected joints or joint compartments. Further, insoles are provided, which mimic the combination of fatty globules and the surrounding restricting fibrous network cushioning structures found in the foot.

Abstract: A wire-free, rechargeable electrically heated insole for footwear. The insole comprises an upper sole and a bottom sole separated by electrical components for controlling the continuous monitoring and heating of the insole. An insert and fiber plane are also provided as a cushion for the electrical components between the upper and bottom soles. The electrical components comprise a printed circuit board electrically coupled with a thermostat, an amplifier and transistor, resistors, and a light emitting diode to form the electrical system. An integrated battery is used to power the system. The insole is designed to be automatically activated to generate heat when the temperature of the foot inside the footwear cools to a certain temperature and automatically de-activated or discontinue generating heat when the temperature of the foot inside the footwear heats to a certain temperature.

Abstract: Footbeds (e.g., in footwear, socks, etc.) for engaging a plantar surface of a wearer's foot include one of the lateral or medial sides having a smooth or substantially smooth feel or surface while the opposite side has a textured feel or surface, e.g., by providing plural raised areas that define the textured feel or surface. Depending on the location of the texturing (lateral side or medial side) and/or the type of ambulatory activity (e.g., running or walking), lower extremity movement during the activity may be affected, e.g., to reduce pronation, reduce maximum eversion, reduce rearfoot range of motion, reduce eversion velocity, reduce plantarflexion when pushing off during a step, reduce inversion at heel strike, reduce eversion range of motion, reduce maximum internal tibial rotation, to increase stability during cutting motions, etc.

Abstract: A shoe (10), particularly a high-heeled shoe, containing a convex midfoot support structure (40) formed of a conformable or compressible cushioning material is sized and shaped to have a height (h1) sufficient to contact and to support at least a portion of the midfoot area (116) of the wearer's foot (110). The midfoot support (40) is constructed of an elastomeric material with a maximum thickness of between 10 mm and 22 mm, and includes a support platform (42) and side walls (44 and 46). Preferably, a forefoot support (58) is also provided on the upper surface of the insole (20) in the forefoot portion (28) of the insole (20).

Abstract: Disclosed is a massaging and reflexology system for an article of footwear comprising a core body generally configured in the shape of a shoe insole, a plurality of cups disposed on a top surface of the shoe insole, and a respective bump or pressure nub disposed within each of the cups. The cups may be disposed on a bottom surface of the core body. The shoe insole may define toe, intermediate, heel and arch portions, or any combination thereof. Each cup may define a substantially concave surface projecting outwardly from the top surface with the cup perimeters being generally circular. The pressure nubs may be centrally disposed on the concave surface of each one of the cups on the top surface. The core body, the cups, the cup spacers and the pressure nubs may be formed as a unitary structure of resilient, elastomeric material such as silicone gel.

Abstract: A flexible foot relief pad that is wrapped about and secured to the individual's foot in order to relieve the symptoms of restless leg syndrome, restless arms, and foot and leg cramps includes a pliable cloth wrap having a foot engaging portion joined to a securing portion by a fold, with the foot engaging portion enclosing a cavity for holding therein a layered raised pressure application pad that applies pressure to select areas of the inner side and sole of the foot with the layered pad configured so that a portion of the pad extends transverse to the sole of the foot and a raised portion extends along the inner side of the foot for applying pressure to the specific muscle groups involved in restless leg syndrome.

Abstract: The plantar balancer in accordance with the present invention has a body and a primary adjuster. The body is for padding the sole of the foot and made from a cushioning material and has a first metatarsal portion, a fourth metatarsal portion and a heel portion. The primary adjuster is positioned between the first metatarsal portion and the fourth metatarsal portion.

Abstract: An insole that functionally adjusts its supporting curvature according to the heel height is disclosed. A first supporting portion is disposed at the metatarsus. A second supporting portion is disposed between the front edge of the calcaneus and the back edge of the metatarsus. The bottom of the second supporting portion is formed with several grooves in the horizontal direction. The width of the grooves is inversely proportional to the heel height, thereby functionally adjusting the supporting curvature.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved welted footwear and related method of manufacture. The welted footwear and related method of manufacturing is directed to a molded foot support platform that provides a number of advantageous features.

Abstract: To provide a footwear sole insert and footwear that would allow performing the fundamental motion of grasping through regulation and promotion of the formation of a functional fundamental arch line linking the cuneocuboid joint areas at cuboidal bone edges of the foot parts with the second and third MP joint areas thereof to thereby making it possible to basically solve alignment abnormality and functional failure. A sole insert is provided with a raised ridge face brought into contact with the region of the foot part extending from the vicinity of the cuneocuboid joint area at edges of cuboids to the vicinity of the proximal phalanxes at the MP joint area between second metatarsals and third metatarsals so as to elevate the region and hold the same in archlike form.

Abstract: A footwear sole includes a shank with a honeycomb reinforcement structure, heel aperture and rib receptacle in the bottom side of a front region of the shank. A fabric sheath surrounds the shank. Polymers are formed in the rib receptacle, in the heel aperture and on the top side of the shank. A foot bed insert is used with the shank. The foot bed insert includes a fabric upper layer, a foam forefoot component, a foam matrix connected to the foam forefoot component, a heel cradle and a heel strike region.

Abstract: An article of footwear promotes complimentary movement and proprioceptive feedback of a user's foot (e.g., to help an infant learn to walk or an adult balance on an uneven surface) while wearing the article of footwear. The article of footwear includes an outsole having a forefoot region, a heel region, and a mid region substantially in between the forefoot and heel regions. The three regions are configured to provide complimentary movement with respect to the user's foot. The forefoot region of the outsole includes a base portion interconnecting ground contact pads configured to move relative to one another, each ground contact pad moving substantially independently of the other relative to the base portion.

Abstract: A shoe sole and insole structure is disclosed. The sole comprises an upper sole and a lower sole; the lower sole has a plurality of through-holes thereon and includes a plurality of lock plugs inserted respectively inside the through-holes; the upper sole has the same number of lock bars on its undersurface. The upper sole directly laminates over the lower sole by inserting the lock bars into the through-holes and then securing the lock bars with lock plugs by inserting the lock plugs into the through-holes. The insole has a plurality of groove rings on its undersurface, each groove ring being disposed with a small through-hole, and further comprises a plurality of ladle discs respectively glued in the groove ring to form an insole with a plurality of air pockets.

Abstract: A web comprising a matrix fiber containing a non-elastic polyester based short fiber and an elastic composite fiber which is made of a thermoplastic elastomer having a melting point of at least 40° C. lower than a melting point of a polyester polymer constituting the short fiber and a non-elastic polyester, with the former being at least exposed on a surface of the fiber, and optionally a hygroscopic and exothermic fiber is heat molded such that the fibers are aligned in a thickness direction thereof, thereby obtaining a mat layer, onto which is then stuck a surface skin material to form an internal material of shoe, and a shoe insole and a boot are obtained by using the internal material of shoe.

Abstract: The invention provides an orthotic heel support device comprising a heel lift, at least one securing strap connected to the back of the heel lift, at least one fastening strap, connected to the securing strap, and at least one foot strap, separated from the fastening strap.

Abstract: Provided is, among other things, a shoe having a sole that includes multiple layers and an upper attached to and extending above the sole. In addition, the shoe includes a tab having: (1) a first portion, located between adjacent layers of the sole and thus hidden from view, that is imprinted with identification information pertaining to the shoe and (2) a second portion that is visible during ordinary use of the shoe.

Abstract: An inner sole for a shoe, the inner sole having a heel portion, a mid-area portion, a metatarsal portion, a metatarsal/toe transition portion and a toe portion. Force absorbing, compressible blisters, each having a perforation, extend across the heel portion, the mid-area portion and the metatarsal portion. There are truncated blisters in the metatarsal portion and no blisters in the toe portion. Orifices are disposed between the blisters and truncated blisters, and are in the toe portion. The orifices dissipate moisture from a user's foot. Also disclosed is a shoe arrangement including the foregoing inner sole, and layers including a breathable and/or moisture permeable layer and a fluid-absorbing layer.

Abstract: Various articles, such as footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, watchbands, and the like, and methods of forming those articles are presented. The articles are generally formed, in whole or in part, using rapid manufacturing techniques, such as laser sintering, stereolithography, solid deposition modeling, and the like. The use of rapid manufacturing allows for relatively economical and time efficient manufacture of customized articles. The articles may include one or more reinforcements configured to provide added durability to various regions of the articles. In addition, the articles may be formed from two or more materials in a single rapid manufacturing process. The rapid manufacturing additive fabrication technique may also include using of varying intensities of the laser to fuse material to form the articles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer laminate footwear insole with a top layer and a bottom layer with at least one cushioning layer, in which a channel transects the top layer of the insole and one or more punctuations in the channel transect the bottom layer of the insole.

Abstract: A method of assembling customized footwear on-site and a customized on-site footwear system. The method of assembling customized footwear on-site includes the steps of displaying a plurality of shoe bases; displaying a plurality of heels; displaying a plurality of lower fore-foot straps; receiving from an on-site customer a selection of one of a plurality of shoe bases; and assembling the selected heel, shoe base, and lower fore-foot strap into the customized footwear on-site. The customized on-site footwear system includes a chosen-on-site shoe base, a chosen-on-site heel, and a chosen-on-site lower fore-foot strap.

Abstract: An insole or footbed for footwear includes a flat support element from which mushroom-shaped formations extend. Air circulation channels are formed between said formations. The insole ensures good foot ventilation.

Abstract: A low cost, easy to manufacture scent-dispersing mat apparatus has a flexible closed cell foam mat containing a plurality of blind holes extending from its upper surface. These blind holes are partially filled with a fragrant liquid scent, creating air spaces thereabove. The upper surface of the flexible closed cell foam mat is sealed with a polymeric sheet that entraps the air spaces in the blind holes, causing entrapped air to become saturated with fragrant scent vapor. The polymeric sheet is perforated by one or more fine needles at the blind hole locations. The perforations permit escape of fragrant scent-saturated air to the ambient when pressure is applied to the top surface of the mat. Upon release of pressure, the foam mat and the blind holes recover their shape; the entrapped air pressure decreases, drawing fresh ambient air into the entrapped air spaces.

Abstract: A structure of the bottom of shoes is provided. The bottom of shoes includes a bent portion whose top portion is shaped concavely between the rear heel and the rear heel; and an elastic restoring portion equipped in the bent portion, so that the bottom of shoes may adhere to the heel constantly. The rear heel of the bottom of shoes is lifted up toward the heel constantly, thereby coming off of the bottom of the shoes can be effectively prevented. Further, convenience in walking can be increased because coming of the bottom of the shoe can be prevented. Still further, an explosive muscular strength can be increased through increased adherence because the real heel of the bottom of shoes is adhered to the heel constantly. Still further, various foot-ware can be worn easily regardless of the size.

Abstract: Disclosed are an elastic sole member which optimizes between a shock absorbing function and repulsive elastic force, between which a tradeoff relationship exists, and a shoe with the elastic sole member. The elastic sole member includes a sole body which is upwardly inclined toward a back end thereof, and an elastic member comprised of a fixing piece inserted through and fixed in a space formed through an upwardly inclined back portion of the sole body, and an elastic plate extending from the fixing plate while it is downwardly inclined and having a first end exposed to the outside and a second end spaced apart from the sole body, in which the elastic sole member elastically contracts when external force is applied to a back portion of the sole body while the fixing piece serves as the elastic support axis and provides elastic recovery force when the external force is removed.

Abstract: An article of footwear having a rubber outsole, a polyurethane midsole bonded to the rubber outsole by polyurethane (PU) adhesive, and a polyurethane upper bonded to the midsole and the rubber outsole by injection molding. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an article of footwear comprising the steps of applying a layer of primer to a selected portion of a rubber outsole and allowing the layer of primer to dry; applying a first layer of PU adhesive over the primed portion of the outsole and allowing said first layer of PU adhesive to dry; applying a second layer of PU adhesive over the dried first layer of PU adhesive and allowing the second layer of PU adhesive to dry; forming, separately, a polyurethane upper by injection molding; setting the outsole and the upper in a mold; and, forming, via injection molding, a polyurethane midsole and activating the PU adhesive to bond the outsole to the midsole and to the upper, thereby forming the article of footwear.

Abstract: Any footwear comprising of interchangeable footwear sole and interchangeable upper portion. The interchangeable upper portion consist of upper foot grip straps, vamp or a full shoe upper portion already attached to a soft pad insole. The interchangeable sole is attached to the upper portion.

Abstract: A stabilizing insole has a base, a heel pad and a forefoot pad. The heel pad is formed on the base and has a heel supporting segment. The forefoot pad is formed on the base and has a forefoot supporting section. The heel and forefoot pads concentrates force applied by a person's foot at natural balance points so the user does not twist his or her ankle.

Abstract: A flexible foot relief pad that is wrapped about and secured to the individual's foot in order to relieve the symptoms of restless leg syndrome, restless arms, and foot and leg cramps includes a pliable cloth, wrap having a foot engaging portion joined to a securing portion by a fold, with the foot engaging portion enclosing a cavity for holding therein a layered raised pressure application pad that applies pressure to select areas of the inner side and sole of the foot with the layered pad configured so that a portion of the pad extends transverse to the sole of the foot and a raised portion extends along the inner side of the foot for applying pressure to the specific muscle groups involved in restless leg syndrome.

Abstract: Articles of footwear and other devices include modules, e.g., for sensing physical and/or physiological characteristics associated with use of the footwear or other devices. Such devices include: (a) a housing, optionally an asymmetrical housing, for receiving an electronic module; (b) release mechanisms for removably mounting the module in the housing; and/or (c) activation/authentication systems for selectively activating the module. Additionally, methods of making articles of footwear or other structures that include such housings, electronic modules, release systems, activation systems, authentication systems, etc. are described. Performance sensing systems and methods of using the above devices for sensing performance characteristics also are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article of footwear having a hollow heel cavity that is adapted to receive a heel insert. A user can interchange heel inserts of varying thicknesses based on their activity, and is not required to change their footwear when undertaking a new activity. For example, hiking on a dirt trail may require a heel insert with less cushioning and more support, while running on pavement may require a heel insert with more cushioning and less support. The user can simply carry with him multiple heel inserts and replace the heel insert as needed to achieve a desired level of support, cushioning and comfort.

Abstract: An inner sole board having varying regions of flexibility is provided for use in an article of footwear. The inner sole board may include different materials along its length at different locations that vary its flexibility. An inner sole board is manufactured in an injection molding process requiring only one mold. The process includes a first step of providing a mold, a second step of providing an injection molding assembly, a third step of preparing an injection molding assembly and mold, a fourth step of injecting material into the mold, and a fifth step of establishing the dimensions of a first portion. During the injection molding process, the flow rate of at least one material may be controlled by a nozzle gate to control the shape and size of the flex zone it creates. In this manner, the inner sole board may be customized for a specific sport or individual.

Abstract: The insole has a number of flexible bulges on a first major surface, and a number of protruding ribs on a second major surface. The projections of the bulges fall within the regions bounded by the ribs. The bulges and their underlying bounding ribs therefore form a number of chambers. The insole further contains a number of through holes positioned between the ends of at least two ribs. The insole further contains a larger heel bulge provided on the first major surface in the heel section, and a concave on the second major surface, which is conducted to the other chambers via at least a duct.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for dynamically fitting an insole to a patient, the apparatus comprising: a first fitting panel, comprising: a virtual model of desired strains on the plantar surface of a foot; a plurality of fitting units deployed on the first panel, each fitting unit comprising: (a) a strain sensor, for measuring the strain of the foot on the fitting unit; and (b) an elevating unit, for elevating the top point of the fitting unit to a desired point; a processing unit, for instructing the elevating unit to adjust the elevation of the top point of the fitting unit towards a position wherein the strain of the foot, as measured by the strain sensor, corresponds to the strain of the virtual model.

Abstract: A waterproof, breathable shoe is disclosed, having a shaped polymeric upper to accommodate the wear's foot, as well as layers to provide other properties to the shoe. At least five layers make up the shoe upper: (1) an innermost woven fabric; (2) an air permeable rubber layer; (3) an air permeable waterproof, four-way stretch membrane layer; (4) a structured air mesh layer; and (5) an outer woven fabric.

Abstract: Disclosed is a partial insole for a fore portion of a foot and a partial insole for a rear portion of a foot. The rear insole supports a calcaneum of a foot and the fore insole supports a foot pad. The partial insole includes a body, pre-fashioned size indication marking, and an adhesive.

Abstract: A double-sided adhesive retainer for footwear and other apparel is described. An embodiment of the present invention includes a core composed of a polyurethane foam cushion. The core is flexible and can conform to the shapes of the inside of a shoe and a wearer's heel and/or foot. On one side of the core is a layer of adhesive that stays permanently affixed to the core and can be used to removably attach the device to the inside of a shoe. On the opposite side of the core is a second layer of adhesive that is also permanently affixed to the core and can be used to removably attach the device to the wearer's skin or any apparel worn on the wearer's foot or ankle. The device described is therefore able to ensure that a shoe remains attached to a wearer's foot.

Abstract: An orthopedic insole consists of a hollow foothold having flexible walls and containing granular filling. The upper surface of the orthopedic insole is typically molded to conform the anatomical features of a regular human foot. The granular filling contained in the lumen of the foothold and a rigid segment of its bottom wall provide for adapting the curvature angles of the top surface of the foothold to a specific pattern of the foot of a user. A user can typically make a selection from a variety of ready-made insoles having standard sizes which suit his needs. The adaptable orthopedic insoles of the invention are accommodated to common shoes and sandals, boots that are suitable for heavy work, walking, running, and or fashionable or mode shoes.

Abstract: A shoe insert system with adjustable and interchangeable supports comprising: a base sole, a longitudinal arch, a heel insert, and a transverse arch; the base sole being generally planar and having a perimeter which covers the underside of a foot from the heel region up to the bottom of a person's toes, a longitudinal arch, the longitudinal arch having a d-shape with perforated holes and a row of pins sized to mate with perforations of the base sole, a heel insert, the heel insert having alternating perforated holes and pins near the edge defining a general circumference of the heel insert, the pins are sized to mate with corresponding perforated holes on the base sole, the transverse arch having a hole side and a pin side, the transverse arch having a series of perforated holes on the hole side and at least one pin sized to mate with a corresponding perforated hole on the base sole on the hole side.

Abstract: A hygienic footwear cushion having a composition comprising bamboo charcoal soot and a footwear material and a method of manufacturing such footwear cushion are disclosed. The footwear cushion material is SEBE, other SEBE equivalent material, or other suitable material for manufacturing footwear cushion. The hygienic footwear cushion according to the current invention provides an improved ability to maintain dryness and obtains the property to be bacteria and odor free.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper that defines an interior void, a sole structure secured to the upper, and a foot-supporting insert that is positionable within a lower area of the void and removable from the void. A system having a protrusion and an indentation may be utilized to, for example, secure the insert within the void. As an example, a protrusion may extend outward from a surface of the void, and the insert may define an indentation in a corresponding location and with a corresponding shape. When the insert is positioned within the void, the protrusion will extend into the indentation. The locations, shapes, numbers and overall configuration of the protrusion and indentation may vary significantly.

Abstract: An intelligent insole for generating time sensitive information about the pressure on the foot. The insole includes a custom-made, semi-custom or generically sized orthotic component. The orthotic is laminated with a top cover and an intermediate pressure sensor having an array of capacitive pressure sensors. Signal processing equipment may be embedded in the insole or placed locally with the insole as on the side of a shoe. The processor also can connect to a wireless transmitter for relaying the information to a remote site.