Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.

Abstract: Described is a shoe, in particular an athletic shoe. The shoe can include a sole and a shoe upper. The shoe upper can include (a.) a lateral portion; (b.) a medial portion; and (c.) intermediate portion between the lateral portion and the medial portion. The intermediate portion can include a cupped portion uncoated by a first coating portion on the lateral portion and a second coating portion on the medial portion. When the shoe upper is separate from the sole at least a majority of the cupped portion may be cupped above surrounding areas of the shoe upper.

Abstract: An article of footwear incorporating an upper formed by a forefoot component, a knitted workpiece, and a heel component is described. Each of the forefoot component, the knitted workpiece, and the heel component are separate from each other and joined along connection areas. Reinforcement elements cover the connection areas. In one embodiment, the knitted workpiece includes a collar portion and a throat portion extending from a forward end of the collar portion. The knitted workpiece also includes a medial lobe extending from one side of the throat portion and a lateral lobe extending from an opposite side of the throat portion from the medial lobe. The collar portion, the throat portion, the medial lobe, and the lateral lobe form a single unified knitted workpiece.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pull-on style boot that fits better for a larger number of people sharing the particular shoe size. The boot of the present disclosure has the ability to expand to adapt to the user's particular foot and lower leg geometry. The boot provides an improved dynamic and static fit and also facilitates foot entry and exit.

Abstract: A sandal comprising an upper and a heel strap made of at least five members, including three firm members and two elastic members. The heel strap is allowed to pivot relative to the upper, wherein a rear part of the heel strap is allowed to further pivot relative to the anterior heel strap members. The sandal includes elastic members that are stretched while the heel strap pivots downward under a downward force on the heel strap while a foot slides into the sandal. The elastic members force the heel strap to pivot upward when the downward force is released.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity with a heel region, and a heel support device extending around the rear of a heel region from a lateral side to a medial side. The heel support device may include a plurality of slats and a base, the plurality of slats providing a progressive gradient of lengths and/or widths, and/or one or more pegs extending from the device for attachment to a footwear upper, and/or an elongated tip that may be disposed in a cavity of an extension of a heel collar of the upper.

Abstract: Footwear that includes a closure system that enables a wearer to quickly and easily fasten the closure system is disclosed. The closure system may include a primary strap and a secondary strap arranged on opposite sides of the footwear where the secondary strap releasably attaches at one end to the primary strap and the primary strap releasably attaches at one end to the upper. The closure system allows for the secondary strap to be selectively attached to the primary strap prior to a wearer inserting a foot into the article of footwear such that the article of footwear is configured to be secured to the foot by simultaneously securing the primary strap and the secondary strap when releasable attachment region of the primary strap is attached to a releasable attachment region of located on the upper.

Abstract: An article of footwear with an automatic lacing system is disclosed. The automatic lacing system provides a set of straps that can be automatically opened and closed to switch between a loosened and tightened position of the upper. The article further includes an automatic ankle cinching system that is configured to automatically adjust an ankle portion of the upper.

Abstract: A shoe comprises a sole having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a top member having an outer surface and an inner surface and mounted on the sole. The top member and sole to together define a space for receiving a foot, and the top member further comprises an opening. A fastener is provided in the top member and extends from the opening and continues over the top member such that a portion of the top member is movable between a first position in which the space is substantially closed and a second position in which a portion of the top member is folded back from the sole to provide access to the space, and further comprising areas with controllable expansion to accommodate an ankle or foot brace.

Abstract: An article of footwear has a flexible upper, a sole, a bite line, a heel region, a forefoot region, a medial side, a lateral side, and a flap. The article of footwear is secured using a closure system that may be tightened and loosened. The flap is coupled to the article of footwear proximate the bite line and is configured to interact with the closure system. The closure system secures the flap to the upper when the closure system is tightened.

Abstract: A shell for a ski boot of the kind comprising an outer shell made of a substantially rigid material and an inner liner made of a substantially soft material is provided. The shell is provided with a gaiter made of a waterproof material, and the lower edge of the gaiter is secured to the inner surface of the shell and the gaiter extends beyond the upper edge of the shell. Preferably, the base of the shell comprises a removable portion so that a through-opening is obtained in the base of the shell, which through-opening guarantees an easy access to the inner space of the shell for accurate securing of the gaiter to the inner surface of the shell.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity with a heel region, and a heel support device extending around the rear of a heel region from a lateral side to a medial side. The heel support device may include a plurality of slats and a base, the plurality of slats providing a progressive gradient of lengths and/or widths, and/or one or more pegs extending from the device for attachment to a footwear upper, and/or an elongated tip that may be disposed in a cavity of an extension of a heel collar of the upper.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper configured to receive a foot of a wearer, the upper including one or more elastic portions and one or more substantially inelastic portions. The footwear may further include a plurality of lace receiving members fixedly attached to an outer surface of the upper on the inelastic portions of the upper. Also, the footwear may include a sole structure fixedly attached to the upper. In addition, the footwear may include a motorized tensioning system including a motorized tightening device and a tensile member extending through the plurality of lace receiving members, the tightening device being configured to apply tension in the tensile member to adjust the size of an internal void defined by the article of footwear by drawing two or more of the plurality of lace receiving members closer to one another.

Abstract: A rapid-entry shoe with a rotating tongue having an open configuration for ease of donning or doffing by a foot and also having a closed configuration for retention of the foot.

Abstract: Footwear that includes a closure system that enables a wearer to quickly and easily fasten the closure system is disclosed. The closure system may include a primary strap and a secondary strap arranged on opposite sides of the footwear where the secondary strap releasably attaches at one end to the primary strap and the primary strap releasably attaches at one end to the upper. The closure system allows for the secondary strap to be selectively attached to the primary strap prior to a wearer inserting a foot into the article of footwear such that the article of footwear is configured to be secured to the foot by simultaneously securing the primary strap and the secondary strap when releasable attachment region of the primary strap is attached to a releasable attachment region of located on the upper.

Abstract: Boot shafts can be designed for comfort by providing expansion in the shaft of a boot. Portions of a shaft can be replaced, augmented, or associated with a more deformable and elastically resilient material or materials. When effectively associated or integrated, the elastic material can allow for temporary expansion of the shaft to ease passage of the heel and foot through the shaft and into the shoe box. A long thin resilient feature can provide expansion and ease of passage of a foot down the boot shaft while also potentially minimizing conspicuous departure from conventional stylings. Such features can also be physically obscured with straps (which may rotate, for example). Such features may be curved or angled to visually in fit with and even be camouflaged by surrounding decorative ornamentation on the shaft of such a boot.

Abstract: An article of footwear providing easy donning and doffing through a heel region. A heel cup is pivotably coupled with the footwear to articulate between an open configuration allowing easier access to a foot-receiving cavity and a closed configuration enclosing a heel region of the footwear. A tensioning strap extends from a first side of the footwear around the heel cup to an opposite second side of the footwear when the heel cup is in the closed configuration. The heel strap is effective to structurally secure the heel cup in the closed configuration. One or more tensioning strands may extend from the tensioning strap. The tensioning strands may be effective to convert force provided through the tensioning strap across a forefoot portion to generate a forefoot securing force through a lacing mechanism.

Abstract: An article of footwear with an automatic lacing system is disclosed. The automatic lacing system provides a set of straps that can be automatically opened and closed to switch between a loosened and tightened position of the upper. The article further includes an automatic ankle cinching system that is configured to automatically adjust an ankle portion of the upper.

Abstract: A shoe upper having a plurality of arms that expand the shoe opening when the topline of the upper is compressed toward the sole portion of the shoe.

Abstract: A shoe lace replacement overlay system, including a shoe, wherein the shoe includes a shoe base, a shoe lace region, a notch area such that the notch area includes an elastic member, and first shoe replacement overlay attachments; and a shoe lace replacement overlay having a top side and a bottom side, wherein the top side of the shoe lace replacement overlay includes a shoe lace replacement overlay base having a first edge and a second edge, a plurality of eyelet strips, a plurality of eyelets, an elastic member located substantially between the plurality of eyelet strips, and wherein the bottom side of the shoe lace replacement overlay includes second shoe replacement overlay attachments such that the first shoe replacement overlay attachments and the second shoe replacement overlay attachments interact with each other in order to retain the shoe lace replacement overlay on the shoe lace region.

Abstract: A shoe having a toe portion, a heel portion and first and second sides, the shoe including a sole, an upper and a closing mechanism extending from a top portion of the upper down along the first side of the shoe and then horizontally between the sole and the upper around the toe portion, around the second side and around the heel portion.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper having a body with a first side and a second side, and a closure system for the upper. The closure system includes a first anchoring cable loop fixed at the first side, a flap, a flap cable loop, and a lace. The flap is fixed to the second side and extends across the body to a free end at the first side. The flap has an aperture extending through the flap. A flap cable loop extends from the free end. The flap cable loop is configured to extend from the free end through the first anchoring cable loop, and from the first anchoring cable loop back to the flap and through the aperture in the flap from an inner side to an outer side of the flap. A lace extends through the looped end of the flap cable at the outer side.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper that has a body extending over at least a portion of a first side and a second side of the upper. A laceless fastening system includes a strap having an anchored end fixed at the second side and a distal end selectively remote from the upper. A first fastener is fixed to an outer surface of the body on the first side. The first fastener is less elastic than the body. A segmented second fastener is fixed to the inner side of the strap. The segmented second fastener includes a proximal segment and a distal segment closer to the distal end of the strap than the proximal segment and spaced apart from the proximal segment along the strap by an exposed portion of the strap. The segmented second fastener is less elastic than the strap.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper configured to receive a foot of a wearer, the upper including one or more elastic portions and one or more substantially inelastic portions. The footwear may further include a plurality of lace receiving members fixedly attached to an outer surface of the upper on the inelastic portions of the upper. Also, the footwear may include a sole structure fixedly attached to the upper. In addition, the footwear may include a motorized tensioning system including a motorized tightening device and a tensile member extending through the plurality of lace receiving members, the tightening device being configured to apply tension in the tensile member to adjust the size of an internal void defined by the article of footwear by drawing two or more of the plurality of lace receiving members closer to one another.

Abstract: In a fastening structure, a third guide member located on the medial side and a third guide member located on the lateral side overlap each other in a foot length direction of footwear as viewed in the foot length direction. A tightening member is guided such that intermediate portions of the tightening member, which are located on the medial and lateral sides, extend in a direction including a component of the foot length direction without crossing each other in a foot width direction of the footwear.

Abstract: A waterproof boot comprises a bootie, such as a hiking boot, and a boot upper comprising a varying diameter tube of waterproof material. The boot upper may have a bottom opening that is sealed between an outer gasket and an inner gasket affixed to the bottom of the bootie. The boot upper may also have a top opening that allows a wearer to insert a leg through the top opening of the boot upper and into the bootie. The boot upper may extend more than three inches over the top of the bootie to provide an extended waterproof shield that prevents water from entering into the top of the bootie. The boot upper may include a gusset and a zipper and/or a horizontal Velcro strip and Velcro receiving area to enlarge (or contract) the top opening of the boot upper to allow the wearer to pull the boot upper over a calf of the wearer and improve the fit and comfort of the boot upper.

Abstract: A footwear article includes an asymmetric ankle collar that may expand in a manner that facilitates donning and doffing the footwear article, such as when the wearer slides his or her heel out of the footwear article. The footwear article may also include a collar elevator.

Abstract: A shoe includes a concave body defining sidewalls and a sole of the shoe, and including a first layer received within a second layer. The first layer includes a portion of the sole and upwardly-projecting tabs constituting an inner circumferential wall defining an opening disposed entirely above the sole. The second layer includes a plurality of spaced U-shaped elements each of which includes two walls, forming a portion of an outer circumferential wall, and a bottom, forming a sole-shaped part of the second layer, connecting therebetween. The tabs are characterized by an elasticity that enables them to be pushed outwardly thereby expanding the opening to facilitate receipt of a foot therethrough, and are inwardly-biased thereby being configured to bear upon the foot when received within the cavity, thereby facilitating gripping of the received foot by the shoe.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper having a body with a first side and a second side, and a closure system for the upper. The closure system includes a first anchoring cable loop fixed at the first side, a flap, a flap cable loop, and a lace. The flap is fixed to the second side and extends across the body to a free end at the first side. The flap has an aperture extending through the flap. A flap cable loop extends from the free end. The flap cable loop is configured to extend from the free end through the first anchoring cable loop, and from the first anchoring cable loop back to the flap and through the aperture in the flap from an inner side to an outer side of the flap. A lace extends through the looped end of the flap cable at the outer side.

Abstract: An upper structure for a shoe improves foot fit and hold of an upper at the time of turn motion. In an upper 2 that covers a foot of a shoe wearer, an expandable part 20 is provided at a midfoot region M that corresponds to a midfoot portion of the foot, and a non-expandable part 21 is provided at a lateral side region and a medial side region except for the midfoot region M. A boundary portion 22 between the expandable part 20 and the non-expandable part 21 has a substantially flat or flush surface. At the boundary portion 22, respective end portions 20E, 21E of the expandable part 20 and the non-expandable part 21 are sewn together such that a seam does not appear on the boundary surface. The shoe may further include an outsole having at least one groove in a particular triangular region on a bottom surface of the outsole.

Abstract: Multiple shoe types are made from a plurality of generic molded base frames including a midsole and at least one upper portion integrally molded together. A first set of upper components is provided for forming a first shoe type secured to a first portion of the base frames and a second set of upper components is provided for forming a second shoe type secured to a second portion of the base frames. The upper portion that is integrally molded with the midsole may be a forefoot panel or a quarter. The various types formed from the generic frame include sneakers, backless shoes, slip-ons, skate shoes and boots. The generic unitary molded frame construction substantially reduces the cost of manufacture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shoe with elasticity, which can be easily and conveniently put on and taken off a user's food and can always maintain the original shape thereof. The shoe with elasticity, comprising a sole serving as a bottom of a shoe, an upper combined with edges of the sole for covering a top and sides of a user's foot when a user wears the shoe, an elastic member coupled to the counter of the upper for covering the heel of the user's foot, a support, extending backward from the counter of the upper of the shoe and combined with a lower end portion of the elastic member, for supporting the heel of a user, and a fixing member having a first end fixed to one side of the upper and a second end detachably attached to the other side of the upper, for surrounding the exterior of the elastic member and fixing the user's foot in the shoe.

Abstract: Footwear includes a shaft and a shell connected to the shaft. The shaft includes an expandable portion adapted to expand to facilitate ease of entry and exit of a heel of a foot into and out of the shell. The expandable portion is surrounded by a material forming the shaft.

Abstract: A flexible article of footwear is comprised of a footwear upper secured to a waterproof sole having a toe portion. The footwear upper has a waterproof toe portion, an arch portion and an ankle portion. A flexible bank is secured between the toe portion and the arch portion. The flexible band has at least a forward angulated section to provide for the arch portion to flex forwardly and laterally to alleviate resistance by the article of footwear on the foot of the wearer person during use.

Abstract: Devices for adjusting the fit of footwear, the devices including a lace receiver configured to frictionally receive a resilient lace and to restrict passage of the resilient lace through the lace receiver, and a latch coupled to the lace receiver and configured to releasingly couple with the resilient lace, wherein coupling the latch to the resilient lace tensions the resilient lace and pulls a first retaining flap of the footwear toward a second retaining flap of the footwear. In some examples, the device is configured to adjust the fit of apparel.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include various first strands and second strands. The cutting and second strands may extend from an area proximal to lace-receiving elements to an area proximal to the sole structure. The first strands may have a substantially vertical orientation and the second strands may have a rearwardly-angled orientation. The first strands may be located in a midfoot region of the footwear and the second strands may be located in both the midfoot region and a heel region of the footwear. Angles between the first strands and the second strands may be at least 40 degrees. Additionally, the second strands may have at least fifty percent greater tensile strength than the first strands.

Abstract: An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes a base layer, a plurality of strand segments, and a deposition layer. The a base layer has a first surface and an opposite second surface. The strand segments are located adjacent to the first surface and extend substantially parallel to the first surface for a distance of at least five centimeters. The deposition layer is deposited upon the first surface and the strand segments, and the deposition layer is joined with the first surface and the strand segments.

Abstract: An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes a base layer and a plurality of strands. The base layer forms at least a portion of an exterior surface of the upper. The strands are located adjacent to the base layer and form another portion of the exterior surface of the upper, the strands being unsecured to the base layer for a distance of at least five centimeters, and the strands having an elongate cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, shoes having elastic tongue-securing straps.

Abstract: The elastic closure for footwear is a releasable closure for an open upper of an article of footwear. The elastic closure includes an elastomeric loop having opposed first and second ends, an anchoring member, such as a button, secured to the first end of the elastomeric loop, and an aglet secured to and covering the second end of the elastomeric loop. In use, the aglet and the second end of the elastomeric loop are inserted from above through a first eyelet of an upper of the article of footwear, so that the aglet and the second end of the elastomeric loop may be drawn through a second eyelet of the upper from below. The button prevents the first end of the elastomeric loop from passing through the first eyelet. The second end of the elastomeric loop is then stretched across the upper and releasably secured about the button.

Abstract: A closure system for an object having a first portion with first eyelets and a second portion with second eyelets includes a first lace that is resiliently flexible. The first lace is operable to extend continuously through the plurality of first eyelets and continuously through the plurality of second eyelets to define a first bridge portion and a second bridge portion of the first lace. The first bridge portion is defined between the plurality of first eyelets, and the second bridge portion is defined between the plurality of second eyelets. Additionally, the closure system includes a second lace that is substantially inelastic. The second lace engages both the first bridge portion and the second bridge portion to secure the first and second portions of the object together.

Abstract: A boot for sealing out environmental elements is disclosed. In one example, the boot includes a drawstring seal between the boot and a leg of wearer. The boot can limit the intrusion of environmental elements to the interior of the boot at least during some conditions.

Abstract: A shoe having an upper with a tongue and an outer shell in which the tongue has a bulging extension on the medial side, in which the outer surface of the tongue has a connector that is aligned with a connector on the inner surface of the outer shell. When the connectors are aligned together, the tongue is secured to the outer shell.

Abstract: A kit including (a) an article having a plurality of pairs of opposing eyelets, including a first pair of opposing eyelets near a top of the article and a second pair of opposing eyelets disposed beneath the first pair of opposing eyelets; (b) a first lace that is threadable through respective eyelets of the first pair of opposing eyelets and fixable at insides of the eyelets, said first lace having (i) a first elastic body; and (ii) one of a stop or openable stop on one end of the first body; and (iii) an openable stop on an opposite end of the first body; and (c) a second lace that is threadable through respective eyelets of the second pair of opposing eyelets and fixable at insides of the eyelets, said second lace having (i) a second elastic body; and (ii) one of a stop or openable stop on one end of the second body; and (iii) an openable stop on an opposite end of the second body; and wherein at least the openable stop on the opposite end of the first body can interlock with the openable stop on the oppos

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: A tensile strand element for an article of footwear is disclosed. The tensile strand element includes one or more tensile strands secured at their endpoints between the sole and upper of an article of footwear, creating one or more looped portions. The unsecured looped portions may extend into the fastening region of the footwear and engage with a fastening system to tighten the footwear upper snugly against a wearer's foot to provide added support.

Abstract: An elastomeric fastener is configured for securing various articles. The elastomeric fasteners include one or more locking mechanisms. In various embodiments, the elastomeric fasteners are configured to secure an article of clothing, such as a shoe. The elastomeric fasteners may be used in combination to form an image.

Abstract: An upper structure for a shoe includes an upper body and an outside upper member that overlaps the lateral side of the upper body to cover the foot's talus and that has a bottom edge portion fixedly attached to a bottom surface of the upper body. A rear end portion of the bottom edge portion is located rearwardly of the calcaneus load centerline. A rear edge portion of the outside upper member is separate from the upper body rearwardly of the talus. An instep edge portion of the outside upper member is connected to the shoelace. The upper structure includes a region that is expandable and contractible in a longitudinal direction. A top end of the region extends to the opening of the upper body, and a bottom end of the region is disposed in front of the calcaneus load centerline and below 55% of the foot's lateral ankle height.

Abstract: A composite element includes a base or textile 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: A kit including (a) an article having a plurality of pairs of opposing eyelets, including a first pair of opposing eyelets near a top of the article and a second pair of opposing eyelets disposed beneath the first pair of opposing eyelets; (b) a first lace that is threadable through respective eyelets of the first pair of opposing eyelets and fixable at insides of the eyelets, said first lace having (i) a first elastic body; and (ii) one of a stop or openable stop on one end of the first body; and (iii) an openable stop on an opposite end of the first body; and (c) a second lace that is threadable through respective eyelets of the second pair of opposing eyelets and fixable at insides of the eyelets, said second lace having (i) a second elastic body; and (ii) one of a stop or openable stop on one end of the second body; and (iii) an openable stop on an opposite end of the second body; and wherein at least the openable stop on the opposite end of the first body can interlock with the openable stop on the oppos