Abstract: Uppers for article of footwear may include one or more skin layers attached to a base layer, wherein the skin layers overlap with one another in varying ways (e.g., with a first skin layer overlaying a second skin layer at some locations and the second skin layer overlaying the first skin layer at other locations). If desired, at least one of the skin layers may be at least partially transparent or translucent. The skin layer(s) may be applied over other elements of the upper (e.g., other skin layers, base layers, reinforcing layers, etc.). Additional aspects of this invention relate to production of curved tongue composite structures and/or footwear having a bonded (hot melt) side seam for forming the upper (and optionally do not include a rear heel seam).

Abstract: Uppers for article of footwear may include one or more skin layers attached to a base layer, wherein at least one of the skin layers is at least partially transparent or translucent. The transparent or translucent skin layer may be applied over other elements of the upper (e.g., other skin layers, base layers, reinforcing layers, etc.) to provide interesting color change options and color palettes for the upper. Additional aspects of this invention relate to production of curved tongue composite structures and/or footwear having a bonded (hot melt) side seam for forming the upper (and optionally do not include a rear heel seam).

Abstract: An article of footwear may have a sole structure and an upper that includes a foundation element and a tensile element. The tensile element may include a base layer and a plurality of strands, with the base layer being joined to an exterior surface of the foundation element. In manufacturing the footwear, a thermoplastic polymer material in the base layer may be utilized to bond or otherwise join the tensile element to the foundation element.

Abstract: An article of footwear or other product may include a material element having a first layer, a second layer, a third layer, and at least one strand. The second layer is positioned between the first layer and the third layer, and the second layer is formed from a thermoplastic polymer material. The strand is located between the first layer and the second layer, and the strand lies substantially parallel to the second layer for a distance of at least five centimeters. In this configuration, the thermoplastic polymer material may join the first layer and the third layer to the second layer. The thermoplastic polymer material may also join the strand to the second layer.

Abstract: A shoe 1 of the present invention includes an upper 2 made of a stretchable fabric. The stretchable fabric is integrated with a sole 3 in a state of being stretched. Further, a method of manufacturing the shoe 1 of the present invention is a method of manufacturing a shoe using a stretchable fabric for the upper 2. The method includes steps of: producing an upper pattern using a last having a size smaller than that of the sole 3 as a base; producing the upper 2 with the stretchable fabric being stretched by stretching the upper pattern and fitting the upper pattern onto a last having a size that matches the sole 3; and integrating the upper 2 with the stretchable fabric being stretched with the sole 3.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing a shoe having the steps of providing an upper, a sole, and a stitching; washing the upper for achieving a weathered appearance of the upper without subjecting the stitching and sole to the washing; and softening the sole. The method also comprises stitching the sole and the upper together with the stitching; working the sole to weather an appearance of the sole; drying the upper and sole together for disfiguring the upper and sole and for achieving a generally uniform weathered appearance; cyclically working the sole to match the appearance of the upper; and cyclically working the upper to match the appearance of the sole. The invention also includes the shoe.

Abstract: An article of footwear that exhibits enhanced whole boot breathability and reduced wet pickup is provided. The footwear article includes an upper having an inferior and superior compartment; a mechanism for joining the superior and inferior compartments together; a protective cover; and an outer sole.

Abstract: The upper structure for a shoe includes an upper body formed of stretchable material and covering at least the tiptoe of the foot of a shoe wearer. The structure further includes a toe pressing member located at a position corresponding to toes of the foot, surrounded by the upper body, and formed of non-stretchable material. The toe pressing member presses the toes of the foot from above when the toes of the foot come into contact with the backside of the upper body at the time of dorsal flexion of the foot.

Abstract: A sports shoe has a sole S absorbing a shock of landing, an upper U covering an instep of a foot, and a fastening member 3 fitting the upper U to the instep of the foot. The upper U has a first opening 1 from which a leg extends upwardly during wearing and a second opening 2 which is closed with a tongue, and the first and second openings 1, 2 are continuous with each other in a front-rear direction, the upper comprises a medial side portion 7 covering a medial side surface of the foot, a lateral side portion 8 covering a lateral side surface of the foot, and stretchable portions 71, 81 forming a part of the medial side portion 7 and/or the lateral side portion 8, and the second opening 2 inclines toward the medial side of the foot along a ridge line of the foot as the second opening extends toward a front of the foot.

Abstract: Material scraps can be collected and resized. The resized scrap can be distributed to create a recovered material layer, which layer (with or without one or more carrier layers and/or additional elements) can then be subjected to heat and/or pressure so as to create a pliable composite panel. That pliable composite panel, or a portion thereof, may then be used to create an upper shell or another article.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper incorporating a knitted component. An inlaid strand extends through the knitted component. A combination feeder may be utilized to inlay the strand within the knitted component. As an example, the combination feeder may include a feeder arm that reciprocates between a retracted position and an extended position. In manufacturing the knitted component, the feeder inlays the strand when the feeder arm is in the extended position, and the strand is absent from the knitted component when the feeder arm is in the retracted position.

Abstract: An article of footwear may have a sole structure and an upper that includes a foundation element, a tensile strand, and a securing strand. The tensile strand is located adjacent to an exterior surface of the foundation element and substantially parallel to the exterior surface for a distance of at least five centimeters. The securing strand joins or secures the tensile strand to the foundation element. Although the thicknesses may vary, a thickness of the tensile strand may be at least three times the thickness of the securing strand. In some configurations, a backing strand may also assist with joining the securing strand to the foundation element.

Abstract: An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the article of footwear are disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. The textile element may also have a first area and a second area with a unitary construction. The first area is formed of a first stitch configuration, and the second area is formed of a second stitch configuration that is different from the first stitch configuration to impart varying textures to a surface of the textile element. Various warp knitting or weft knitting processes may be utilized to form the textile element.

Abstract: An asymmetrical shoe upper is combined in a shoe body. The shoe upper at a medial side of a foot dorsum inclines to a lateral side of the shoe upper and to a front end of a foot sole so as to form an asymmetrical design. Accordingly, when wearing the shoe body, muscles of the foot dorsum are constrained by the shoe upper. At this time, the shoe upper affects pressures applied onto the medial and lateral sides of the foot dorsum. Thereby, based on the lever principle, the foot can be automatically adjusted so as to form a specific angle such that a heel has a medial side not constrained by the shoe upper at the medial side of the heel, and an inverted ankle can be avoided.

Abstract: A tendon assembly for an article of footwear is disclosed. The tendon assembly includes a tendon positioned between a base layer and a cover layer in a non-bonded manner such that the tendon may move freely within the layers. The tendon assembly may be rigidly secured to a shoe upper. One end of the tendon may be rigidly secured at or near the sole of the footwear. A second portion of the tendon may be integrated with a fastening system of the footwear such that the tendon may pull the footwear upper snugly against a wearer's foot to provide added support.

Abstract: A method for producing the multi-layer decorative vamp according to the first embodiment includes the steps of (a) providing a base, a first plate, and a second plate, which have been cut to a predetermined shape respectively; (b) arranging the base and the first and second plates in a predetermined order; (c) stacking the first and second plates and the base, and the first plate disposed between the base and the second plate to form a stacked array; (d) hot pressing the stacked array.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for applying a pattern onto the upper of a shoe or other footwear. The footwear is preferably made by injection molding where raw materials are injected into a mold to form the shape of a footwear.

Abstract: A footwear upper that includes a first layer and a second layer disposed on the first layer. The second layer includes a lattice defining a rhombille tiling pattern of figures.

Abstract: A footwear upper including a first layer and a second layer disposed on the first layer exteriorly of the first layer. The second layer defines grooves in a rhombille tiling pattern.

Abstract: A footwear article includes an upper assembly attached to a sole. The upper assembly includes an enclosure defining a foot receiving void and a flex feature disposed on a medial portion of the upper assembly. The flex feature connects a medial forefoot portion of the enclosure to a medial heel portion of the enclosure, thus allowing the medial forefoot and medial heel portions of the enclosure to move relative to each other. The sole assembly includes a midsole disposed on an outsole. The midsole defines voids of different depths. The voids are arranged to provide relatively greater cushioning and bendability within at least one of a metatarsus portion and a calcaneus portion of the midsole.

Abstract: Footwear including an upper sized and shaped for covering a human foot of a predetermined size. The upper has a lower edge defining a lower boundary of the upper and an upper edge defining an opening through which the foot is inserted when positioning the footwear on the foot. A waterproof vapor-permeable sheet having an outer edge defining a shape corresponding to the foot is stitched to the lower edge of the upper. An interior surface of the upper and an upper surface of the sheet define an interior of the footwear into which the foot is inserted, with the upper surface of the sheet forming a bottom surface of the interior of the footwear.

Abstract: An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the footwear are disclosed. The footwear has an upper and a sole structure. The upper is secured to sole structure and the upper is formed from three layers: a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The second layer is formed from a polymer material and molded to the first layer, but the second layer may alternately be molded to the third layer. The third layer is joined with at least one of the first layer and the second layer such that the second layer is positioned between the first layer and the third layer.

Abstract: An article of footwear for use in sporting activities such as snowboarding is disclosed. The article of footwear can include a flex notch and a coupled lace loop design. The article can further include an internal harness to enhance stability of the foot. The article can also include a threading layer configured to strengthen the upper and a corresponding connecting layer to bond the threading layer to the upper and to provide protection to other areas of the upper.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method of making a custom article of footwear. Further, the article of footwear can include a spring element that can provide improved cushioning, stability, and running economy. In addition, the components of the article of footwear can be selected from a wide range of options, and can be easily removed and replaced, as desired.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a thermoplastic polyurethane (“TPU”) infused mesh material that is molded to form at least a portion of a shoe. The TPU infused mesh may be formed as an upper, a portion of sole or other components of a shoe. The TPU infused mesh is formed, in an exemplary embodiment, through the application of liquid TPU to a surface of a spacer mesh. The liquid TPU infused spacer mesh is then cured, cut to a pattern, and heat molded to form a desired portion of the shoe. The heat molded TPU mesh is coupled to other portions of the shoe (e.g., sole) to form an article footwear in an exemplary embodiment.

Abstract: Flat knitting allows production of textile structures (e.g., for use in footwear uppers) of a final desired shape such that textile cutting steps can be avoided. Flat knitted elements also can be formed directly in desired three dimensional shapes, which can help avoid the need to use additional support structures (e.g., in footwear construction). By selectively placing multiple different yarns and/or stitch patterns at multiple different locations in the overall structure during the knitting process, flat knitted products may have multiple different physical properties (e.g., different stretchability, different moisture management capabilities, etc.) at multiple different locations or zones within a single, unitary construction (e.g., different properties at different zones or locations within a single footwear structure). Additionally, flat knitting can be used to produce pockets, tunnels, or other layered structures in the final product.

Abstract: A ball control portion for an article of footwear is disclosed. The ball control portion includes a plurality of protrusions that are configured to bend to provide increased surface contact between an upper and a ball, such as a soccer ball. The plurality of protrusions are arranged in an arc-like configuration on the upper that generally corresponds to the curvature of a ball.

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: A shoe, especially a boot, which has a protective function against toxic chemical agents, especially chemical warfare agents, and a multilayer layered construction, which has an outer layer, which faces away from the foot when the shoe is worn, and an inner layer, especially an inner shoe lining, which is assigned to the outer layer and faces towards the foot when the shoe is worn, wherein, in addition, an adsorption layer based on an adsorbent material, especially activated carbon, which adsorbs toxic chemical agents, is arranged between the outer layer and the inner layer. In this way, efficient protection against toxic chemical agents, especially chemical warfare agents is achieved, and a high degree of wearing comfort is achieved at the same time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of at least one layer (1) of a shoe upper or of a part of a shoe upper, wherein a nonwoven fabric (2) made of thermoplastic elastomere (TPE) is used as the basic material for at least a section of the layer (1) of the shoe upper. To influence the local properties of the material selectively in a cost efficient manner the invention suggests that at least partitions (3) of the surface of the nonwoven fabric (2) are exposed to a welding beam (4) in such a manner, that in those partitions (3) at least a partial melting of the nonwoven fabric (2) takes place, so that the density of the material is increased in the molten partitions (3).

Abstract: A heel counter support for a shoe can allow a wearer to conveniently put on various kinds of shoes, such as low shoes, athletic shoes and a shoehorn, and can prevent the heel counter from being bent. The heel counter support, which is embedded in the uppers of a heel counter of the shoe, includes: a support member that is formed in the same arc as the heel counter as being viewed from the plane, is joined to a lower end of a shoe sole, and is made of rigid synthetic resin; and an arc-shaped tension-maintaining portion that is joined to an upper end portion of the support member and is made of soft synthetic resin to thereby naturally raise the heel counter up. The tension-maintaining portion has an upper end that is bent a little forward so that a wearer can easily insert the foot into the shoe.

Abstract: An article of footwear including a sole and an upper with an exterior and interior surface, and one or more bladders which comprises at least one of the exterior or interior surfaces of the upper. The bladder comprising sheets of polyurethane or polyester film attached together to form an airtight seal. The article of footwear also includes a inflation mechanism for selectively introducing air in the one or more bladders. The inflation mechanism is located under the foot of the wearer to be activated by the normal action of the wearer to inflate the one or more bladders. The article of footwear may also include an assembly for connecting several tubes to one under foot inflation mechanism. The article of footwear may also include inflatable laces that are inflated by an underfoot inflation mechanism.

Abstract: Linked articles and a method for customizing the linked articles are disclosed. The linked articles comprise a first link matrix and a second link matrix comprising a first portion of the article and a second portion of the article, respectively. The first link matrix consists essentially of links of a first material and the second link matrix consists essentially of links of a second material.

Abstract: Systems and methods associated with an insert for expanding an article of clothing, including an article of footwear, are described. Articles of clothing incorporating such inserts are also described. The insert includes a body portion defining a first edge, a second edge, and a perimeter. Fasteners are disposed along the first and second edges. The fasteners couple to fastening structures of the article of clothing, and the perimeter of the body increases a size or circumference of the article of the clothing. The material for the insert, fasteners, fastening structures, or portions thereof can be selected to be decorative or to match, complement, correspond to, or coordinate with articles of clothing and/or accessories.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include various strands that extend from an area proximal to lace-receiving elements to an area proximal to a sole structure. The strands lie substantially parallel to a surface of a material layer in a region between the lace-receiving elements and the sole structure, and the strands cross each other in the region between the lace-receiving elements and the sole structure.

Abstract: A composite element includes a base layer, a thermoplastic polymer material, a thread, and a cover layer. The base layer has a first surface and an opposite second surface. The polymer material is separate from the base layer, extends into the base layer, and is at least partially located at the first surface. The thread has a section lying adjacent to the first surface layer and substantially parallel to the first surface throughout a distance of at least five centimeters, and the thread is bonded to the base layer with the polymer material. The cover layer is located adjacent to the first surface and bonded to the base layer with the polymer material, and the section of the thread is located between the cover layer and the base layer.

Abstract: Footwear is provided including an upper, a porous insole, a midsole, and a solid outsole. The insole has pores that permit sand to fall through the insole. The midsole includes a top surface with a plurality of grooves extending lengthwise between openings on the rear surface of the midsole and openings on the front surface of the midsole.

Abstract: An article of footwear having a sole structure with openings formed therethrough is disclosed. The article of footwear includes an upper for receiving a foot of a wearer and a sole structure attached to the upper and positioned generally below the foot. The sole structure has at least one opening formed therein that extends through the sole structure. The at least one opening formed through the sole structure exposes the plantar surface of the foot of the wearer to a ground surface when the article of footwear is worn by the wearer, and is constructed so as to allow contact between the plantar surface of the foot and the ground surface.

Abstract: A variety of products may incorporate cultured leather, which is produced in vitro. Examples of products that may incorporate cultured leather include footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, furniture, handbags or any other consumer or industrial product that commonly incorporates conventional leather or synthetic leather.

Abstract: To provide boots which have hygienic and health advantages such as the ability to effectively deodorize the inside of the boots. The entire outer surface excluding the sole of the boot is made of a material which is formed into an integrated body by continuously knitting a yarn and, in the material, at least the instep-covering part to cover the toe or the instep of the foot is knitted out of a yarn including a fiber into which minute particles having one or more functions selected from among deodorizing function, antibacterial function or blood circulation promoting function. The boot can also be formed by knitting a twine which is made by twisting a fiber into which minute particles having deodorizing function, antibacterial function or blood circulation promoting function around a fiber which has high elasticity.

Abstract: A combination structure for a shoe shell has a shoe body, a toecap mounted on a front end of the shoe body and at least one connecting part disposed between the shoe body and the toecap. Each of the at least one connecting part has a female connector and a male connector formed respectively on the shoe body and the toecap and is mounted with each other. Connecting the toecap to the shoe body through the at least one connecting part is quick, process improvement and time saving. Furthermore, the toecap is attached securely to the shoe body and not easily detached from the shoe body.

Abstract: An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the article of footwear are disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. The textile element may also have a first area and a second area with a unitary construction. The first area is formed of a first stitch configuration, and the second area is formed of a second stitch configuration that is different from the first stitch configuration to impart varying textures to a surface of the textile element. Various warp knitting or weft knitting processes may be utilized to form the textile element.

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: An article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole beneath the upper, and an outsole beneath the midsole. The midsole includes a substantially U-shaped outer member defining a pair of forwardly extending arms spaced from one another and formed of a first material. An inner member is positioned between the arms of the outer member and is formed of a second material that is more resilient than the first material.

Abstract: An upper structure for a shoe improves a fit of the heel portion during heel contact with the ground to the push off motion of a foot. The upper structure includes an upper body 30, and an outside upper member 31 that overlaps the lateral side of the upper body 30 to cover the talus T of the foot, and that has a bottom edge portion 31a fixedly attached to the bottom surface of the upper body 30. The rear end portion A of the bottom edge portion 31a is located rearwardly of the load centerline C of the calcaneus. A rear edge portion 31c of the outside upper member 31 is provided separately from the upper body 30 rearwardly of the talus T of the foot. An instep edge portion 31b of the outside upper member 31 is connected to the shoelace 4. On the lateral side of the heel portion of the upper body 30, there is a region 10 that is expandable and contractible in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the article of footwear are disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. The textile element may also have a first area and a second area with a unitary construction. The first area is formed of a first stitch configuration, and the second area is formed of a second stitch configuration that is different from the first stitch configuration to impart varying textures to a surface of the textile element. Various warp knitting or weft knitting processes may be utilized to form the textile element.

Abstract: Articles of footwear include a textile upper member with an exterior constructed from knitted textile material, the exterior including a region with stability ribs and a second unribbed region. The region(s) having stability ribs may be located, for example: along a lateral midfoot side of the upper member; along a forefoot portion of the upper member; and/or along a medial midfoot side of the upper member. Other articles of footwear include an upper member having exterior and interior textile elements joined together in a stitchless manner at the foot-receiving opening of the upper member. The exterior surface of this upper member also may include one or more regions with stability structures. The stitchless textile engagement techniques can provide a smooth, non-bulky, and breathable joint that does not require thick layers of textile material in contact with or adjacent the wearer's foot.

Abstract: An article of footwear with an undulating sole provides a different and unique ride and/or feel to the article of footwear, while also providing a unique aesthetic appeal and adequate cushioning and support. The midsole has an undulating shape substantially similar to a sine wave with a series alternating peaks and troughs, and may include one or more support elements disposed on the midsole to provide desired stiffness or cushioning properties to the midsole.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly that is operably coupled to the upper. The sole assembly includes a first portion and a second portion that are separated by a groove. Also, the article of footwear includes a biasing structure that is elongate and nonextendable. The biasing structure is operably coupled to the sole assembly to bias the first and second portions of the sole assembly generally toward each other.

Abstract: A manufacturing method may include forming incisions through an incision layer that is secured to a transfer layer. After defining the incisions, the incision layer is secured to a substrate layer, and the transfer layer is then separated from the incision layer. The manufacturing method may be applied to elements used in footwear, apparel, or a variety of other products.