Abstract: A footwear assembly requires a wearer to adjust in order to maintain stability while standing, walking, etc. The assembly includes an outer sole having a flexible shell surrounding a hollow interior substantially filled by a plurality of unconnected, substantially non-deformable particles. Foot pressure applied to the outer sole results in movement of the plurality of particles, and the resiliency of the shell allows it to assume a variety of different configurations based in part on the portion to which pressure is applied. The resiliency of the shell further facilitates normal biasing thereof and the particles therein into a normal, non-compressed orientation. The tendency of the outer sole to assume a variety of different configurations will, in some circumstances, require a wearer to adjust the corresponding foot and/or leg in order to maintain normal stability, at least when foot pressure is applied to the outer sole.

Abstract: A lasting board for an article of footwear. The lasting board has a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion, and a heel portion and includes a first material and a second material that is different from the first material. The forefoot portion is monolithic and is constructed of the first material that is a non-woven fabric. The midfoot portion and the heel portion have an upper layer, a lower layer, and an intermediate layer between the upper layer and the lower layer. The intermediate layer is constructed of the second material, and the upper layer and the lower layer are constructed of the first material. A cushioning member made of a third material different from the first material and the second material is disposed within the heel portion of the lasting board.

Abstract: A shoe includes a sole having an insert piece and a layer of material disposed on a top surface of the insert piece; and an upper extending above the sole. The insert piece extends from at least one of a front or middle portion of the shoe to a rear of the shoe, with the top surface of the insert piece inclined upwardly toward the rear of the shoe and then leveling off at a rear portion of the shoe. A top surface of the layer of material is inclined upwardly from the at least one of the front or middle portion of the shoe to the rear of the shoe, such that at the rear portion of the shoe an angle of inclination is significantly greater for the top surface of the layer of material than for the top surface of the insert piece.

Abstract: The present invention aims at controlling the balance of a skeletal structure of a foot of a user, and reducing the stress applied on the feet or body of the user wearing the footwear. In order to realize the above objects, the present invention provides an insole 1 for a footwear, having an elevated convexed center section 2 formed on a contact surface to be in contact with a foot, positioned at an intermediate area between a portion corresponding to a base of a big toe of the foot and a portion corresponding to a base of a little toe of the foot, and a concaved center section 3 formed on the contact surface in contact with the foot, positioned on both sides of the convexed section 2, and extending from the portion corresponding to the base of the big toe or the portion corresponding to the base of the little toe to the portion corresponding to a heel.

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: A therapeutic insole, comprising: at least a plantar channel running onto the upper surface of the therapeutic insole for providing support to a user's foot structure; a section of outside ribbing adapted to secure the therapeutic insole into a user's shoe; a plurality of support ribs running underneath the therapeutic insole to aid providing support to a user's foot structure while maintaining the therapeutic insole's shape; and a heel cup working with the at least a plantar channel to prevent undesired changes in a user's plantar fascia and heel tissue.

Abstract: An inlay sole for shoes is made up of sole pieces of varying Shore hardness which engage with each other on abutting edges, the width of which corresponds to the thickness of the sole pieces, with matching sinuous projections and matching recesses. The projections form extensions which engage in backcuts in the recesses, the inlay sole being made of several layers of sole pieces assembled as above. The abutting edges are offset with relation to each other from layer to layer.

Abstract: [Objects] It is an object to provide a foam having a low specific gravity and a small compression set, more preferably a foam having a low specific gravity, a small compression set and uniform quality, a foaming composition, and applications of the foam. [Means for Solution] The foam is obtained by foaming an olefin polymer, wherein the foam has a specific gravity (d) in the range of 0.03 to 0.30, and a compression set (CS, %) and the specific gravity (d) satisfy the formula of CS??279×(d)+95. The foam is preferably obtained from a foaming composition that includes an ethylene polymer (A) including a specific ethylene/?-olefin copolymer (A1) and an ethylene/polar monomer copolymer (A2) in a specific mass ratio, and a specific ethylene/C3-20 ?-olefin/non-conjugated polyene copolymer (B).

Abstract: An insert for soles, particularly for perforated soles made of polymeric material, comprising a membrane that is impermeable to water and permeable to water vapor, the insert comprising a supporting layer made of mesh, felt or other diffusely perforated material, a vapor permeation component, which comprises the membrane arranged above the supporting layer, a layer of polymeric material that impregnates locally the supporting layer, so as to form therein a matrix for the adhesive bonding thereof to other components of the shoe, a region for sealing the supporting layer to the vapor permeation component. The adhesive bonding matrix affects at least the perimetric region of the supporting layer and delimits at least one vapor-permeable portion of the supporting layer, which is free from polymeric material. The sealing region provides for the intimate grip of the polymeric material, which impregnates the supporting layer, to the membrane.

Abstract: An insole for an orthopedic device includes a top portion including at least one top layer. The top layer defines a top surface arranged to be substantially adjacent a plantar surface of a user's foot. A bottom portion is connected to and arranged opposite the top portion. The bottom portion includes at least one bottom layer. At least one removable element is arranged for removal from at least the bottom portion for defining at least one opening below the top surface. The top surface continuously spans over the at least one opening arranged for off-loading one or more affected areas of the plantar surface of the foot.

Abstract: A shoe midsole has a sole plate, a plurality of blades integrally standing on the sole plate, a cover bonded to the circumference of the sole plate, and a fluid sealed between the sole plate and the cover. A first concave part in a shape equivalent to a sole of a foot is formed on the surface of the sole plate, on which the plurality of blades stand, wherein the plurality of blades are accommodated within the first concave part. The plurality of blades are aligned at a predetermined interval in a direction nearly orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sole plate, and some of the plurality of blades are tilted toward the toe.

Abstract: A two part insole having one part for housing smart systems embedded within an insole, and a second part for maintaining comfort of a cut-to-fit insole to increase the functionality of the overall product for the user.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing shoe insoles, comprises steps of: step 1, making a resin mixture by mixing a resin and a hardening agent in a container; step 2, impregnating a glass fiber cloth with the resin mixture in step 1; step 3, cutting the glass fiber cloth impregnated in step 2 according to a pre-determined shape of a half insole or of an insole; step 4, hot-press forming a product by adding the glass fiber cloth cut in step 3 to a pre-heated mold, and heat pressing the glass fiber cloth to obtain the product of a shoe insole. A shoe insole manufactured according to the above method and a shoe comprising the same are also disclosed, involving high strengths, small thicknesses, light weights, resistances to moisture as well as hydrolysis, longtime molding effects, a strong weatherability and a good balance, and facilitating the standardization of shoe manufacturing.

Abstract: An orthotic insert device has a first portion generally underlying the plantar surface of the heel fat pad of the calcaneus of a wearer's foot when the insert is placed in a corresponding shoe. The device has a second portion which is located and sized to generally underlie the mid-foot of the wearer. The first portion under the heel is less rigid, that is, more compressible, than the second portion underlying the mid-foot. As a result, the device not only decreases the force felt on the heel, but also acts to offload the force from the heel toward the mid-foot, especially during the impact phase of a person's gait. By off-loading the heel and transferring weight to the mid-foot, force otherwise felt in the region of the calcaneus is dissipated over a much larger surface area, including the mid-foot.

Abstract: A shoe insole covering embedded with bamboo and charcoal, designed to cover a shoe insole is presented. The shoe insole covering comprises a main body, an opening and a plurality of raised dots. The main body includes a top portion, a bottom portion and an inner portion. The opening is located at the bottom portion. The opening includes an elastic edge that is extendable. The extendable elastic edge allows the shoe insole covering to fit with shoe insoles of different sizes. The shoe insole covering receives the shoe insole through the opening and secures the shoe insole at the inner portion. The shoe insole covering provides grip and prevents shifting of the shoe insole in footwear. The plurality of raised dots provide additional grip to the footwear. The shoe insole covering completely wraps the shoe insole. The shoe insole covering is washable and reduces bad odor coming out from the shoe insole.

Abstract: The present application relates to an insulation pack in a wearable article, such as a footwear article. In one example embodiment, the insulation pack includes a perforated air retention and communication layer, an insulating compressible layer, and a reflective layer. In a compressed state, when the wearable article is worn by a wearer, the perforated air retention and communication layer and the insulating compressible layer maintain a lofted air space which is in air communication with an inner body space of the wearable article and acts as an insulating layer. Further, the reflective layer reflects radiated body heat. Thus, the insulation pack may provide a heat retention and insulation system for the wearable article by reducing body heat lost via radiation and conduction.

Abstract: A customizable shoe insole is provided. A base layer having a substantially flat surface shaped to a sole of a foot extends from a heel of the foot to beyond a ball of the foot. One or more support pads each having a different contoured shape of varying height is removably affixed on a top surface of the base layer. An upper layer having a substantially flat surface shaped to the sole of the foot is affixed on top of the support pads and base layer.

Abstract: An insole structure includes a supporting layer, a buffer layer and a surface layer orderly superposed together. The supporting layer is provided thereon with an intermediate bulgy block, an arch bulgy block and a heel bulgy block. The buffer layer is disposed with an intermediate buffer portion, an arch buffer portion and a heel buffer portion at locations respectively corresponding with the intermediate bulgy block, the arch bulgy block and the heel bulgy block of the supporting layer. By so designing, the insole structure of this invention is able to rectify a user's foot shape and comfortable in wearing and to produce the insole structure, only need to have the buffer layer directly stuck to the supporting layer, able to greatly simplify manufacturing procedures, shortening labor hours and lower producing cost.

Abstract: A footwear sole or an orthotic or combinations of both including a set of incrementally different inserts forming a progressive sequence. The progressive sequence includes inserts having corrective structures that are incrementally closer to a final corrective structure than a corrective structure of a previous insert in the sequence. The corrective structure of the inserts may change in one or more of shape, thickness and firmness of at least one portion of the at least one insert as compared to the previous insert in the sequence. Each of the inserts of the set is worn for a period of time in order of the progressive sequence as part of the footwear sole and/or orthotic.

Abstract: An orthotic is disclosed. The orthotic may include a cushioning layer configured to extend from at least the metatarsal region to the proximal heel region, the cushioning layer having a heel region with a protruding heel piece integrally molded as part of the cushioning layer. The orthotic may also include an outer shell layer fixedly coupled to the cushioning layer, the outer shell layer extending longitudinally from at least the medial cuneiform-first metatarsal joint region to the calcaneus bone region of the user, the outer shell layer configured to receive the protruding heel piece.

Abstract: An antistatic insole is disclosed, which consists of one cover layer, one first layer body, one second layer body, one arch pad, and one heel pad. The insole is assembled with a cover layer on the surface of the first layer body and the second layer body below the first layer body and the heel pad and the arch pad are below the second layer body. The elasticity of the heel pad is more elastic and the arch pad less elastic than the first layer body. The contour of the surface of the first layer body follows that of the foot arch of a human body and acts coherently with that of the second layer body. The cover layer, the first layer body, and the second layer body are antistatic. The arch pad is equipped with antistatic and anti-fatigue functions according to various arch shapes of a human foot.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole assembly with a rib that is resiliently flexible, and the rib has a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The transverse axis extends at an acute angle relative to the ground surface, and the rib includes a first longitudinal end, a second longitudinal end, and a middle portion disposed between the first and second longitudinal ends. A height of the first and/or second longitudinal end is greater than that of the middle portion. The rib is operable to axially support a first force applied substantially along the acute angle relative to the ground surface, and the rib transverse axis remains substantially straight in response to the first force. The rib resiliently bends about the rib longitudinal axis in response to a second force applied substantially normal to the ground surface to make the rib transverse axis non-linear.

Abstract: An insole assembly for use in footwear is provided. The insole assembly generally includes a full-length insole base made of a flexible and resilient material (e.g., resiliently compressible foam), and a heel cap made of a generally rigid material (e.g., a carbon fiber reinforced polymer) which is attached to the insole base and mimics the contours thereof to provide proper biomechanical support of the heel and arch areas of a foot in a particularly lightweight and sleek form factor.

Abstract: A footwear component and a method of making the footwear component are disclosed. The footwear component includes a first portion and a second portion that are joined at a transition zone. The first portion and the second portion have different flexibility characteristics. The footwear component can bend at the transition zone to accommodate the natural bending of a foot. The footwear component can also include a cushioning member that provides support and cushioning for the heel.

Abstract: This application discloses shoe inserts which are configured such that a user may expose one or more adhesive layers while the cushioning shoe insert is maintained at an optimal location within a shoe, thereby securing the cushioning shoe inserts precisely at the optimal location. Moreover, this application discloses shoe inserts which are designed to distribute necessary support forces, e.g. through a foot chock, thereby mitigating or eliminating uncomfortable levels of localized pressure.

Abstract: A removable puncture protective footwear insert with an insole with an orthotic shape that includes an arch support and a heel cup made of a cellular foam product, a multiple layer protective material where the layers are coupled together and held within the insole and a cushioning and shock absorption material that helps maintain the insole orthotic shape. The cellular foam product is PORON™ or ethylene vinyl acetate, PORON™ and ethylene acetate and the insole may be with or without a tile heel cup. The multiple layer protective material is a SWEN-FLEX® material LENZI EGISTO PS5 ES L-PROTECTION® material, or other puncture proof material. There are also two or more separate methods for manufacturing a removable footwear insert.

Abstract: The improved footwear system of the present application uses composite materials in the design of an advanced modular in-shoe foot orthosis and a new container assembly which includes a high performance energy storage and return element orthosis. The footwear system uses a method of manufacture incorporating a new last model. The advantages of the footwear system over standard issue combat boots include lower weight, improved treatment of lower extremity overuse injuries and reduction of the occurrence of such overuse injuries by protecting at-risk feet with advanced footwear which can be customized to meet the biomechanical needs as well as the specific activities of the wearer.

Abstract: An insole which generates an air flow during use, which assists in cooling or warming the foot of a user is disclosed. In a first embodiment, air flow facilitated by said insole provides for convective heat transfer away from the plantar surface of the foot. The insole is intended for insertion into a shoe which is ventilated, preferably an athletic shoe with a ventilated upper. The bottom layer defines a plurality of ridges and channel lining portions which together define a plurality of air channels. The bottom layer defines a heel recess in which a heel pad is situated. In a second embodiment, an insole which collects, retains, and heats a user's foot is disclosed. Said insole further comprises a middle layer of thermal reflective material secured to and coextensive with a top layer and a bottom layer secured to said middle layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article of footwear may include assembling at least a portion of an upper of the article of footwear, the upper having a lower perimeter edge. A lasting element is secured to the upper adjacent to the lower perimeter edge. The lasting element includes a barrier and a tensile member located within the barrier, the tensile member being secured to opposite sides of the barrier. In addition, a sole structure of the article of footwear is joined to at least one of the upper and the lasting element.

Abstract: An insole advantageous for arthritic or diabetic patients comprises three layers and provides an arch support and an integral heel receiving area. The insole has a generally foot-shaped bottom layer having a length extending from a heel area to a toe area, a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom layer's bottom surface preferably comprises one to three indentations formed integrally therein and is preferably made of an EVA foam. Insert layers are secured to each of said indentations. A middle layer having a first and second side is secured to the bottom layer's top surface adjacent the middle layer's second side and is preferably made of a synthetic rubber layer. The middle layer takes the shape of the bottom layer. A top layer is coextensive with and secured to the middle layer's first side. The top layer composition is selected according to the intended use.

Abstract: An arch support insole includes a basic body made from soft flexible material having a top surface, a heel support portion in form of crescent moon shape and projecting upward from the top surface and a palm support portion in front of the heel support portion. The heel support portion has two distal ends that gradually increase in thickness toward a center area thereof thereby forming a curved surface with an apex at the center area which is spaced from the top surface of the basic body at 5 mm˜9 mm and wherein the palm support portion has an upwardly curved top surface with a topmost point which is spaced from the top surface of the basic body at 1 mm˜6 mm.

Abstract: A insole with a seahorse reinforcing element is a combination of a soft insole and harder reinforcing element. The reinforcing element is integrally formed with a transverse arch support having the shape similar to the seahorse mouth and crown, an medial longitudinal arch support having the shape of the seahorse vertical body, and a heel support having the shape of the seahorse hooked tail. By strengthening the support of the insole, the invention can prevent discomfort in the transverse arch and the medial longitudinal arch due to sinking. At the same time, the invention reinforces the support for the starting position of walking, thereby saving user's efforts.

Abstract: An orthopedic foot appliance providing optimal and adaptable comfort and shock absorption while at the same time varying degrees of heel support, arch support and motion control depending on the foot type and footwear. The orthopedic foot appliance consists of a cushioning insole and a re-attachable support piece for attaching and re-attaching to the insole. The insole includes a trim line allowing the insole to be adapted to a three quarters length of a full insole. The three quarters length may extend form from the back of the heel to the metatarsal heads. The support component may be constructed from any of a group of materials including polyethylene, polypropylene and polypropylene incorporating glass or silica.

Abstract: A reversible, moisture absorbent shoe insert comprising a firm, breathable middle layer bonded to a moisture absorbent top layer and a moisture absorbent bottom layer to form a multilayer laminate. As excessive precipitation from the user's foot is drawn to the absorbent top layer, the absorbent bottom layer naturally begins to wick the moisture through the breathable middle layer, which allows the moisture from the top layer to evaporate, keeping the user's feet drier and less odorous. The insert is reversible because the material of the bottom layer has equal moisture absorbency as the material of the top layer, which allows the invention to function in the same manner when inserted into either the left or right shoe. The insert is also machine washable, which promotes the reduction of bacterial build-up in the shoe over time, which in turn reduces shoe odor and helps prolong the life of the shoe.

Abstract: An insole includes a supporting layer, a buffer unit, a cloth layer, a foam layer and a leather layer orderly superposed together. The supporting layer is formed with an intermediate portion, an arch portion and a heel portion for corresponding with the sole of a person's foot. The buffer unit consists of a first buffer material to be combined with the arch portion and a second buffer material to be engaged with the heel portion. By so designing, the intermediate portion, the arch portion and the heel portion of the supporting layer of the insole can correct and support a user's foot, and the buffer unit can produce effects of shock absorption and buffering. In short, the insole of this invention is not only able to correct a user's foot shape but also comfortable in wearing.

Abstract: A shoe including a footwear upper, an outer sole and an insole system, the insole system including a base insole component and an upper insole component. The base insole includes a chassis and first and a second shock absorbing inserts. The upper insole includes a spacer panel, first and a second gel insert members, and a fabric sheet layer. The insole system may be permanently secured in the shoe or be replaceable or interchangeable for installation and removal to and from the article of footwear by a user.

Abstract: The invention provides bicycling shoes and bicycling shoe components that offer improved comfort, fit, increased efficiency and reduced incidence of injury.

Abstract: A shoe that includes a base layer, middle layer and top layer all having a top and a bottom surface. A first portion of the bottom surface of the middle layer is adhered to the top surface of the base layer, and the bottom surface of the top layer is adhered to the top surface of the middle layer. The base layer, middle layer and top layer cooperate to define a main body portion that includes a heel cup, an arch portion and a forefoot portion. The forefoot portion includes a part of the middle layer and a part of the top layer, but not a part of the base layer.

Abstract: A shoe including a footwear upper, an outer sole and an insole system, the insole system including a base insole component and an upper insole component. The base insole includes a chassis and first and a second shock absorbing inserts. The upper insole includes a spacer panel, first and a second gel insert members, and a fabric sheet layer. The insole system may be permanently secured in the shoe or be replaceable or interchangeable for installation and removal to and from the article of footwear by a user.

Abstract: A triple density replacement insole which has at least two coextensive layers of different densities which are adjacent one another and extending the length of the insole comprising a first top cloth layer and a second gel layer and a third density layer comprising a stability cradle adjacent the gel layer. In a preferred embodiment, the stability cradle, which extends from the arch area to the heel area and secures to the gel layer, defines a first metatarsal region gap which exposes the gel layer and a second heel region gap which exposes the gel layer. A heel cushion is positioned in the second heel region gap adjacent to the gel layer and is secured to the gel layer exposed in that region. A metatarsal arch support is integrally formed in the first metatarsal region gap area.

Abstract: A customizable insole is provided. A base layer having a substantially flat surface shaped to a sole of a foot extends from a heel of the foot to a ball of the foot. One or more support pads each having a different contoured shape of varying height is removably affixed on a top surface of the base layer. An upper layer having a substantially flat surface shaped to the sole of the foot is affixed on top of the support pads and base layer.

Abstract: An orthotic is disclosed. The orthotic may include a cushioning layer configured to extend from at least the metatarsal region to the proximal heel region, the cushioning layer having a heel region with a protruding heel piece integrally molded as part of the cushioning layer. The orthotic may also include an outer shell layer fixedly coupled to the cushioning layer, the outer shell layer extending longitudinally from at least the medial cuneiform-first metatarsal joint region to the calcaneus bone region of the user, the outer shell layer configured to receive the protruding heel piece.

Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber may include an upper barrier portion, a lower barrier portion, and a tensile member. An upper tensile layer of the tensile member may be secured to the upper barrier portion, and a lower tensile layer of the tensile member may be secured to the lower barrier portion. The upper barrier portion and the lower barrier portion may have first areas and second areas. The first areas may be indentations extending into the chamber, and the second areas may be protrusions extending outward from the chamber. At least a portion of the first areas may be unbonded with the upper barrier portion and the lower barrier portion. Accordingly, one or more properties of the chamber, such as a flexibility, stiffness, rigidity, tensile response, compressibility, or force attenuation property, may be altered.

Abstract: A footwear insole system for use with an article of footwear including a base insole component and an upper insole component. The base insole includes a chassis and first and a second shock absorbing inserts. The upper insole includes a spacer panel, first and a second gel insert members, and a fabric sheet layer. The insole system may be permanently secured to an article of footwear or the insole system may be replaceable or interchangeable for installation and removal to and from an article of footwear by a user.

Abstract: A footwear insole system for use with an article of footwear including a base insole component and an upper insole component. The base insole includes a chassis and first and a second shock absorbing inserts. The upper insole includes a spacer panel, first and a second gel insert members, and a fabric sheet layer. The insole system may be permanently secured to an article of footwear or the insole system may be replaceable or interchangeable for installation and removal to and from an article of footwear by a user.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a half fork for shoe molded insole, comprising a rigid plastic injection-molded main body, and a waist core integrated in the main body as a whole by plastic injection molding, wherein the main body has at least one locating hole on the upper and/or lower surfaces thereof in the waist core region, and bevels on the edges thereof. The half fork further comprises a surface material layer on upper and/or lower surfaces of the main body; the material of the surface material layer is fabric, paper or plastic. The half fork disclosed by the present invention will not deform easily under the pressure caused by the weight of the wearer, even in the humid environment or under the condition of being soaked, it is more comfortable, durable and artistic.

Abstract: A shoe insert, with a raised heel area, that creates a rigid inner sole that extends to a point just prior to the ball of the foot.

Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber, which may be incorporated into articles of footwear and other products, may include an outer barrier, a first tensile structure, and a second tensile structure. Any of the first and second tensile structures may include one or more textile tensile members. The first and second tensile structures may be located within an interior void defined by the outer barrier and may be bonded to the outer barrier. The first and second tensile structures may be bonded to the outer barrier in different areas of the outer barrier that are in fluid communication with each other. The first tensile structure may have a height greater than a height of the second tensile structure. In turn, the relative locations and differences of height between the tensile structures may impart a contour to the chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are innersoles for cycling shoes and to cycling shoes including such innersoles.

Abstract: An absorbent footwear liner comprising an upper absorbent layer and a lower layer comprising an adhesive equal in size to the upper layer for adhering the liner to substantially the entire surface of a footbed for absorbing and dissipating moisture thereon and preventing foot slippage on a shoe footbed due to perspiration.