Abstract: A knitted component may include a first portion, where the first portion at least partially forms an underfoot area of an article of footwear. A second portion may be included, where the second portion at least partially forms an outer surface of a medial or a lateral side of an article of footwear. A forward portion may extend from an end of the first portion and may include a toebox area in a toe region of the knitted component. A knitted connection structure may be located between the toebox area of the forward portion and the second portion, where the second portion includes a first course, where the toebox area of the second portion includes a second course, and where the first course is secured to the second course through the knitted connection structure.

Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear may include one or more of the following: a knitted component forming a collar of the upper, the collar at least partially forming an opening for providing access to an interior of the article of footwear; and a first knit edge and a second knit edge that extend along the collar of the upper, wherein a knitted central portion of the collar extends between the first knit edge and the second knit edge. The collar may consist of a single seam to join together the first knit edge and the second knit edge. The single seam may be offset from a centerline at the rear-most portion of a heel area such that the knitted central portion of the collar extends through the centerline of the heel area.

Abstract: A knitted component may include a first portion, where the first portion at least partially forms an underfoot area of an article of footwear. A second portion may be included, where the second portion at least partially forms an outer surface of a medial or a lateral side of an article of footwear. A forward portion may extend from an end of the first portion and may include a toebox area in a toe region of the knitted component. A knitted connection structure may be located between the toebox area of the forward portion and the second portion, where the second portion includes a first course, where the toebox area of the second portion includes a second course, and where the first course is secured to the second course through the knitted connection structure.

Abstract: A knitted component may have a first portion, where the first portion has a first layer and a second layer, and where the first layer and the second layer each have opposite-facing surfaces. The first layer and the second layer may be secured via at least one knit structure of the knitted component at a boundary of the first portion. The first layer may form at least one of: (a) an overfoot portion of an article of footwear such that the pocket forms a void of the article of footwear for receiving a foot and such that the first layer forms a top surface of the void, and (b) an underfoot portion of the article of footwear such that the first layer forms a bottom surface of the void of the article of footwear.

Abstract: An article of footwear flat pattern upper (126, 300, 302) portion (216) is provided. The upper portion (302) has a midline reference line (415, 416) extending between the toe end apex (316) and a midpoint on the heel end (314). The upper portion (302) also is comprised of an origin (344) aperture that is located within 10 millimeters of the midline reference line (415, 416) between the toe end (306) and the heel end (314) of the upper portion (302). The upper portion (302) is also formed with an overlay (500) that is coupled with the upper portion (302) between the toe end (306) and the heel end (314) and between the medial side (315) and the lateral side (317). The overlay (500) has an alignment aperture (345) that is aligned with the origin (344) aperture.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an upper for an article of footwear includes: forming a foam layer; forming a preliminary upper by laminating an outer layer, an inner layer, and the foam layer intermediate to the outer layer and the inner layer; and molding the preliminary upper to a shape having a contour to substantially fit at least a portion of a foot to provide at least a portion of an upper for an article of footwear.

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 method for manufacturing footwear including injection molding a polymeric material on a sheet of material in preselected locations and/or in a preselected pattern so that the polymeric material bonds to the sheet and forms a structural exoskeleton of an upper of the footwear. The upper can be joined with a sole. The polymeric material can be injection molded on the sheet while the sheet is in a planar or flat configuration, and subsequently, the sheet and bonded exoskeleton can be conformed to a three-dimensional configuration of an upper. Additional polymeric materials can be injected on the exoskeleton to reinforce certain areas of the same. The exoskeleton can define one or more holes through which the sheet is visible to form one or more aesthetic regions on the upper. An article of footwear constructed with the method is also provided.

Abstract: An article of footwear with an integral upper and sole and a method of assembling the article of footwear are disclosed. The method includes folding the article of footwear from a flat configuration and attaching top and bottom lateral edges to form the article of footwear. A kit of parts containing an article of footwear with an integral upper and sole and a set of instructions is also disclosed.

Abstract: Shoes specifically designed to facilitate production via efficient shoe manufacturing methods and systems are described. In embodiments, the shoe upper is designed by way of a flat forming process, whereby the upper pattern is kept in a two-dimensional shape for most of the upper assembly and then stitched or otherwise affixed into a three-dimensional form in the final stage of upper assembly.

Abstract: A shoe structure having an exterior upper, an interior upper, an insole and an outsole. The interior upper has an upper opening with a peripheral edge at the upper end of the interior upper and a lower opening with a peripheral edge at the lower sole-side end of the interior upper, with the interior upper also having a rear or heel area, two side areas and a front area with a seam running between the upper and lower openings. The seam runs from the upper opening on the one side over the front area to the lower opening on the other side.

Abstract: Interior members for foot-receiving devices, such as bootie elements for articles of footwear, include a material element at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber. This material element may include, in some examples, a heel-surrounding portion, a lateral side portion, a medial side portion, and a seamless plantar portion in a continuous, one-piece arrangement. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the material element may include a heel-surrounding portion, a lateral side portion, a medial side portion, a plantar surface, and a double layer of the material element at least along an Achilles area portion. Additional aspects relate to material blanks for forming such interior members as well as to foot-receiving devices, such as athletic footwear, including such interior members.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention contemplated herein describe a contoured skate boot having contour seams formed therein for introducing preferential biases in the boot material. By strategically creating notches in the boot upper material and subsequently rejoining the edges of each notch, the boot upper may be biased to conform to the complex contours of a skater's foot and ankle. Moreover, by introducing boot contours such that the boot is able to closer approximate the natural contours of a skater's foot, fewer stiffeners and less padding is required to result in a comfortable fit while providing increased control of the boot. Additionally, by reducing the quantity of stiffeners and volume of padding, a lighter boot is provided, thus resulting in a more efficient energy transfer from the skater through the skate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention contemplated herein describe a contoured skate boot having contour seams formed therein for introducing preferential biases in the boot material. By strategically creating notches in the boot upper material and subsequently rejoining the edges of each notch, the boot upper may be biased to conform to the complex contours of a skater's foot and ankle. Moreover, by introducing boot contours such that the boot is able to closer approximate the natural contours of a skater's foot, fewer stiffeners and less padding is required to result in a comfortable fit while providing increased control of the boot. Additionally, by reducing the quantity of stiffeners and volume of padding, a lighter boot is provided, thus resulting in a more efficient energy transfer from the skater through the skate.

Abstract: The invention is an upper for an article of footwear that includes a textile having fusible filaments or fibers. The textile is incorporated into the upper and specific areas of the upper are heated such that the fusible filaments or fibers fuse with other filaments or fibers to form fused areas. In comparison with unfused areas of the upper, the fused areas may impart properties that include greater stretch-resistance, stability, support, abrasion-resistance, durability, and stiffness, for example. In addition, the fused areas generally provide air-permeability without significantly increasing the weight of the footwear.

Abstract: The present invention is a three-dimensional spatial shoe vamp, including multiple longitudinal straps, latitudinal straps, and support straps. The longitudinal straps and the latitudinal straps respectively overlap each other in an intersecting manner along longitudinal and latitudinal directions. The support straps, the longitudinal straps and the latitudinal straps form a triangular relationship. The support straps pass through the longitudinal straps and the latitudinal straps in a corrugated manner. Each of the support straps initially crosses a top of each of the longitudinal straps, and then crosses a bottom of each of the latitudinal straps. Thus, the longitudinal straps, the latitudinal straps and the support straps may intersect and knit a three-dimensional spatial shoe vamp which has a substantially triangular spatial structure.

Abstract: A reversible shoe that can be taken apart and reassembled with inside and outside faces reversed includes: (a) a reversible sole; (b) two side flaps, each affixed to the sole along a longitudinal side edge of the sole; (c) a heel flap attached at one end to a posterior end of the sole; and (d) attachment means, such as zippers, laces, snaps, and buttons, for attaching one portion of the shoe to another. The reversible shoe has a generally flat, unassembled position for storage, and two opposite assembled positions ready for wear as a shoe. This reversible shoe allows the user to switch from one style to another, one color to another, monotone to multi-hued, or from plain to decorated. A method for assembling a reversible shoe, and a kit for building a reversible, readily assembled shoe are also included.

Abstract: A method of making a slipper from a rectangular blank of terry cloth, a strip of rectangular lace and an elastic strip.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a shoe upper formed from a blank of material. The upper has a toe portion, a pair of side portions, a heel portion, and a bottom portion. The bottom portion of the upper is formed from the blank by folding the blank about a fold area in the heel portion such that the bottom portion can be connected to the bottom of the toe portion, the bottoms of the pair of side portions, and the bottom of the heel portion. The blank has a first section which includes the toe portion, side portions and heel portion. The blank also has opposite ends. The opposite ends of the blank are connected to one another to form the toe portion, side portions and heel portion of the upper. The shoe upper may also be formed from a blank having a second section which includes the bottom portion of the upper, and further may include one or more wing portions which overlie generally the side portions of the upper.

Abstract: A shoe for e.g. sporting activities is disclosed. The shoe has a peripheral portion including a pair of sections divided in a longitudinal direction of the shoe along a foot-arch portion thereof. The sections are configurated so that the sections are overlapped with each other at least at a portion of the foot-arch portion when cut portions of the respective sections are folded out with upper areas of the respective cut portions being placed in contact with each other. And, the sections are sewn to each other at the cut portions. Then, the peripheral portion is attached to a sole of the shoe with the foot-arch portion being recessed into interior of the shoe.

Abstract: An unlasted shoe construction of the sandal type in which an upper is formed from one-piece of flexible material with vamp tabs and instep tabs integral therewith so that the tabs will be fully clear of the connection of the upper with a bottom. The instep tabs are provided to afford places to attach an instep strap and a heel strap to complete the sandal construction.

Abstract: A shoe has a preformed lower portion which is molded preferably from plastic material, and which has on its top surface, around the upper peripheral edge and slightly inward thereof, a plurality of downwardly directed slots for receiving a selected upper of the shoe. The selected type of upper is suitably sized in advance and has at the edge of the depending sides thereof a plurality of substantially V-shaped extended sections providing a serrated edge for insertion into the slots in the top surface of the lower portion of the shoe. The upper is retained in the lower portion of the shoe by staples or nails inserted into the lateral edge thereof through the extended sections. The slots are preferably V-shaped and the lateral edge preferably extends above the top surface so as to cover the top of the sections of the upper.

Abstract: There is provided a boot blank for a wading boot or the like, and as well a boot assembled from the boot blank with a leg encircling member for the assembled boot for hip-high wading boots. The boot blank has a novel structure with upper and lower portions, the lower portion having a planar bottom wall interrupted by a recess located generally centrally of the boot blank and along a central fold line with inwardly tapering side portions of the lower part meeting tapering side walls of the upper part. A triangular flap of the upper portion is adapted to be folded about the boot blank to join an opposite wall. The walls may be secured together by stitching or adhesive. The products are preferably made of an elastic cellular rubber-like material, such as "NEOPRENE", preferably provided with textile material laminated on both faces of the rubber material. The shape of the boot blank allows economical and easy manufacture of the boots and in addition, the products are self-supporting when worn by a user.

Abstract: There is provided a footwear upper construction which includes a toe panel which defines a toe portion and two rearwardly extending side portions, and two ankle panels adapted to be stitched to the inner margins of the rearwardly extending side portions. The toe panel defines slots at the forward inner edges of the side portions, and each ankle panel defines a vertical slot adjacent the toe end of the same. These slots are interlaced or interleaved with each other prior to the stitching and the water-proofing which may be applied in the case of boots. The interleaving of the two slots reduces the risk of pin-hole leakage at the forward end of the connection between the ankle panel and the toe panel.