Abstract: A roofing shoe traction chassis system has a roofing shoe traction chassis with a toe strap, foot strap and heel strap coupled thereto for securing a shoe to the chassis. The chassis also has a detachable traction sheet configured for attachment to the base of the roofing shoe chassis. The roofing shoe traction chassis can be quickly donned over a pair of shoes allowing a user to wear a more comfortable and better ventilated shoe. The detachable traction sheet can be changed out as the traction layer is worn. An exemplary roofing shoe traction chassis has a strap support that extends up from a support plate and has a toe strap and foot strap aperture to receive and retain the toe and heel straps respectively. The support plate may also have post apertures for receiving and retaining heel strap posts.

Abstract: An apparatus can comprise a main body configured to cover a portion of a lower side of a shoe, a plurality of cleats extending from a lower side of the main body, and at least one strap coupled to the main body and configured to extend over a shoe.

Abstract: A track and field shoe can include an upper and a sole structure. The upper includes a medial side portion, a lateral side portion, and a toe box portion. The sole structure is attached to the upper and includes a spike plate. The spike plate has an anterior portion, a posterior portion, a plurality of spikes, and a plurality of rails. The spikes extend in an inferior direction from the anterior portion of the spike plate and are configured for engaging a track surface. The rails extend in a superior direction from the anterior portion of the spike plate and extend over an exterior surface of the toe box portion of the upper, and the rails comprise longitudinal axes that extend in a superior/inferior direction.

Abstract: A roofing shoe traction chassis system has a roofing shoe traction chassis with a toe strap, foot strap and heel strap coupled thereto for securing a shoe to the chassis. The chassis also has a detachable traction sheet configured for attachment to the base of the roofing shoe chassis. The roofing shoe traction chassis can be quickly donned over a pair of shoes allowing a user to wear a more comfortable and better ventilated shoe. The detachable traction sheet can be changed out as the traction layer is worn. An exemplary roofing shoe traction chassis has a strap support that extends up from a support plate and has a toe strap and foot strap aperture to receive and retain the toe and heel straps respectively. The support plate may also have post apertures for receiving and retaining heel strap posts.

Abstract: Footwear includes structural features that may provide one or more of the following features or functions: (a) help “lock” the wearer to the ground under torsional forces induced in the leg/foot (e.g., by a golf swing or other activities); (b) help provide stable support, e.g., at the medial heel and/or lateral forefoot areas; (c) help support and prevent undesired distortion of the footwear upper, e.g., when torsional forces are applied; and/or (d) help provide a very stable and secure feel and fit by securing across the instep portion of the foot, e.g., in a forward lateral-to-rear medial direction (e.g., between medial heel and lateral forefoot sidewall supports).

Abstract: Snowshoes are provided which include a footwear supporting plate, a front binding device and a rear binding device. The plate has a lattice-like, essentially flat configuration formed by a plurality of hollow prismatic structures partially superimposed on one another. The main axis (x) of each hollow prismatic structure may be inclined by an angle (?) between 200 and 70° relative to a middle plane of the plate, in such a manner that lower edges of the hollow prismatic structures form sharp edges which allow the plate to grip snow and inner surfaces of the hollow prismatic structures offer high resistance to penetration into snow allowing for the distribution of weight of a user over a wide contact surface, thereby ensuring good floatability.

Abstract: A sole designed for attachment to an article of footwear, made of a hard polymer outsole connection plate affixed to a flexible polymer outsole that has a series of threaded imbed anchors housed therein for the attachment of various designs of interchangeable cleats. The cleats reside in detents formed on planar channels across the width of the outsole and extend above a series of tapered raised pads formed on the bottom face of the outsole.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a removable tightening device is described. The tensioning mechanism is removably coupleable with an article without damaging the article so that upon removal, the coupling of the tensioning mechanism with the article is unrecognizable or not readily detectable. The tensioning mechanism is operable with a tension member to maintain a tension of the tension member and thereby maintain a tightness of the article. The tension member is guided along a path about the article, via one or more guide members, and is tensionable, via the tensioning mechanism, to tighten the article.

Abstract: A kit includes a pair of items of footwear; wherein each item of footwear includes a brace that is arranged to be releasably secured to at least part of a wearer's leg and/or foot; a platform that is operably connected to the brace; and a securing mechanism for releasably securing a balancing member, or a stack of balancing members, underneath the platform. The kit includes balancing members for each item of footwear so that one balancing member can be replaced with another balancing member that has a smaller ground-contacting area, or so that it can have another balancing member with a smaller ground-contacting area stacked underneath it.

Abstract: Foot-supporting elements for articles of footwear or other products may include: (a) a first diagonally-oriented plate that extends from a lateral heel location of an article of footwear to a medial forefoot location of the article of footwear; and (b) a second diagonally-oriented plate that extends from a medial heel location of the article of footwear to a lateral forefoot location of the article of footwear. These foot-supporting elements may be utilized in foot-receiving devices that may include: (a) a foot-covering member (such as an upper); and (b) a foot-supporting element engaged with the foot-covering member.

Abstract: A method of treating spine pathologies and related outcomes in a subject in need thereof is provided. The method includes placement of at least two calibrated, differential disturbances or protuberances under the subject's feet.

Abstract: A traction overshoe which enables a user to safely cover the footwear while sitting or standing. The traction overshoe has left side flaps, right side flaps and a tension cord system. The left side flaps and the right side flaps are contiguous with the front and back supports of the traction overshoe and a tension cord system is attached to the right side flaps and the left side flaps. In use, a user grips a bottom grip-bar and moves the left side flaps and the right side flaps into vertical positions. The user then slips the footwear into the device and moves the bottom grip-bar in an upward position to secure the left side flaps and the right side flaps against the footwear.

Abstract: Provided is an automated shoe closure including a sole and a plurality of motors disposed in the sole. The motors are configured to expand or contract one or more shoe panels. The shoe panels each include one or more connectors configured to connect the shoe panels to each other when the shoe panels are in an expanded state. A plurality of slits are disposed in the sole. Each of the slits is configured to expand and contract a corresponding shoe panel therethrough. An expansion button is disposed in the sole. A retraction button is disposed in a side of the sole, and a charging port is disposed in the sole.

Abstract: A heel traction aid (HTA) includes a gripping pad and a traction device having an upper surface, where the gripping pad includes a receiving bore penetrating the gripping pad and a raised ring encircling the receiving bore. The traction device is disposed in receiving bore such that the upper surface is disposed below the raised ring. The HTA includes a heel cup attached to lateral edges of the gripping pad, a first strap attached to the heel cup and including a first hook, and a second strap attached to the heel cup and including first holes. The first and second straps have elasticity sufficient to maintain tension when a heel of a shoe or foot is positioned in a concavity formed by the gripping pad and the contoured heel cup and when the first hook is engaged with one of the first holes of the second strap.

Abstract: A removable traction device for wearing over an article of footwear includes an outer peripheral band; a traction area defined within the outer peripheral band and including a removable traction member; and a plurality of resilient connecting strands extending between the traction area and the outer peripheral band. The traction area includes an exterior ground engaging surface and an interior surface opposite thereto and the interior surface includes a peripheral flange defining a traction member receiving pocket, such that the removable traction member is insertable into and removable from the traction member receiving pocket.

Abstract: Provided is a shoe outsole and/or a sheet material which can be used to fabricate such an outsole (among other things), formed of a base material that includes a number of indentations and lower-extending portions. Small particles are bonded to at least some of the indentations, but the lower-extending portions predominantly are uncoated with such small particles. Also provided are methods and techniques for manufacturing such outsoles and sheet material, as well as shoes incorporating such outsoles.

Abstract: A crampon capable of being worn on general footwear for golf shoes and climbing irons is disclosed, in which because of small volume and light load, the crampon has a cheap and conveniently portable advantage.

Abstract: An assembly comprising an article of footwear, such as a boot, and a crampon, the assembly comprising a binding for retaining the crampon on the boot. The binding comprises an assembly device that comprises a first element affixed to the boot and a second element affixed to the crampon, the first and second elements being structured for assembly with one another in two phases, a first phase in which one of the elements guides the other element along a translational movement, from an initial point to a transition point, and a second phase in which one of the elements guides the other element along a rotational movement in the area of the transition point, the first phase and the second phase being mutually exclusive.

Abstract: A cleated sandal for use in athletic activities comprising a flexible sole and plural attachment straps for mounting the sandal on a foot or footwear of a wearer. A plurality of cleats for contacting a ground surface extend from a bottom side of the flexible sole at its toe and heel ends. The plural attachment straps include two vertical and two horizontal attachment straps each having a bottom surface and a top surface. The bottom and top surfaces of each of the attachment straps are covered with suction mesh hairs which cling to each other when overlaid; hence, allowing portions of each strap to connect to each other to form secure loops and to tighten the sandal on the foot or footwear of the wearer. The attachment straps also are additionally connected to the sole through respective aligned buckles.

Abstract: Provided is a personal traction device that includes a traction mechanism that is very comfortable underfoot, while providing excellent traction over slippery surfaces as well as excellent long-term wear.

Abstract: A sandal type overshoe for releasable mounting on primary footwear, e.g., a boot or shoe, is disclosed. The overshoe comprises a sole with a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a hindfoot portion. Toe, side and heel anchor pieces are disposed along the perimeter of the sole and accept two removable lace pieces, one of which connects the front anchor piece and the side anchor pieces, and one of which connects the heel anchor pieces to the side anchor pieces. The sole portion has a ground engaging surface that can provide enhanced traction or other functionality.

Abstract: A stilt device having a front extendible strut and a cooperating rear extendible strut pivotally connected to a base member and a shoe plate, the front and rear extendible struts being disposed in a parallelogram relationship. The rear extendible strut has a rear member and a rear extendible member. A leg support pole is supported at one end by the rear extendible member and extends for its other end to be connected to a workman's leg to provide stability and to thereby enable the replacement of height determining extendible members, the distance from the shoe plate being a common vertical difference that is unchanged the extension of the extendible struts or by components thereof. For stilts of increased height the springs of the damping assemblies are selectively stiffened.

Abstract: An ice gripping footwear attachment includes a base having an upper surface for engaging the bottom of the footwear and a lower surface carrying a grit material that is frictionally engagable with an ice covered surface. Forward, intermediate and rearward fastening straps are secured to the base. The forward strap is wrapped across the footwear such that it extends rearwardly in a crisscrossed pattern. The intermediate strap is wrapped and fastened over the forward strap. The rearward strap is then secured across the wearer's ankle or heel to securely fasten the attachment to the footwear.

Abstract: A sandal type overshoe for releasable mounting on primary footwear, e.g., a boot or shoe, is disclosed. The overshoe comprises a sole with a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a hindfoot portion. Toe, side and heel anchor pieces are disposed along the perimeter of the sole and accept two removable lace pieces, one of which connects the front anchor piece and the side anchor pieces, and one of which connects the heel anchor pieces to the side anchor pieces. The sole portion has a ground engaging surface that can provide enhanced traction or other functionality.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a shoe cover. The shoe cover is useful for muffling sound of the wearer. The apparatus contains a padded sole, an encasing material, vertical straps, an attachment mechanism on the straps, and a replaceable cover. The replaceable cover can be substituted when the replaceable cover becomes worn or when a different type of cover is desirable.

Abstract: A crampon capable of being worn on general footwear for golf shoes and climbing irons is disclosed, in which because of small volume and light load, the crampon has a cheap and conveniently portable advantage.

Abstract: A traction device for a boot has a felt platform with a toe section and a heel section, and a heel extension attached to the heel section. Cording passes through two pairs of passages in each of the toe section and the heel extension. On each side, the cording passing from a toe section passage to a heel extension passage forms a side stringer, and the cord extending beyond the heel extension forms a cord extension segment. Loops are provided on each side stringer, and the cord extension segments are each passed through one of the loops before being cinched to tighten the cording against the boot. Preferably, a single length of cord is employed and the loops are tied into the side stringers. It is also preferred for the toe section passages to be positioned on ear extensions that protrude from a body of the felt platform.

Abstract: Interchangeable slip-on golf overshoes for fitting over conventional footwear includes (a) a first golf overshoe being sufficiently symmetrical from a top view to be interchangeably worn over a shoe on a left foot and over a shoe on a right foot of a golfer, the first golf overshoe having at least a sole, a toe component and a heel component and having a portion of the first golf overshoe being stretchable; and the first golf overshoe having a predetermined pattern of spikes on the bottom of its sole; and, (b) a second golf overshoe being sufficiently symmetrical from a top view to be interchangeably worn over a shoe on a left foot and over a shoe on a right foot of a golfer, the second golf overshoe having at least a sole, a toe component and a heel component and having a portion of the second golf overshoe being stretchable; and the second golf overshoe having a predetermined pattern of spikes on the bottom of its sole.

Abstract: A skate assembly has a boot having a substantially completely open base with a sole plate of more rigid material than the boot secured over the open base. The base has an opening extending along at least substantially the entire length of the boot from the heel to the toe, with side rims extending along opposite sides of the base opening. The sole plate may be releasably or permanently secured to the boot.

Abstract: A sole device or attachment for shoes, boots, athletic shoes, and similar footwear. The device comprises an undershoe attachment made of a lightweight material, including but not limited to rubber or foam, or a combination thereof. The device may come in various sizes to correspond to footwear sizes currently known, and may be of larger size than the corresponding footwear. The device may be attached to the sole of footwear directly by operation of spikes on the bottom of the footwear, or may be secured by one or more straps that extend across the footwear, or some combination thereof.

Abstract: The overshoe for running is a protective and padded overshoe adapted to be worn over a running shoe or the like in order to provide additional shock absorption and padding for running on hard surfaces, such as pavement, cement and the like. The overshoe is in the form of a unitary body formed from a resilient material. The unitary body includes a sole having opposed upper and lower surfaces, and a peripheral wall extending from the periphery of the upper surface of the sole. The peripheral wall and the sole define an open interior region adapted for receiving the shoe. The overshoe is preferably dimensioned and configured to snugly receive the shoe so that the overshoe is removably secured thereto during use. An additional releasable fastener may be added for further securing the unitary body to the shoe.

Abstract: An overshoe that covers a footwear structure for protecting a walking surface. The overshoe includes a base and an upstanding portion, which extends around at least a portion of the base. A protrusion extends inwardly from an inner surface of the upstanding portion. The protrusion engages the footwear structure for releasably retaining the overshoe to the footwear structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a safety crampon with generality put on, which encircles front/rear/left/right sides of shoes around a spike pad to elastically press and grip them so that the crampon is not come off from the shoes, thereby ensuring safety. Also, the safety crampon has excellent wearing feeling and walking owing to characteristics of an elastic material, can be put on all kinds of shoes including mountain-climbing boots, high-heeled shoes, and rubber shoes, allows a user to safely climb a mountain and safely walk on a skiddy icy road of the ground, and has a conveniently portable advantage.

Abstract: An anti-slip overshoe includes a contoured outer band, a gripping pad disposed interior to the contoured outer band for providing traction, and a web structure connecting the gripping pad to the contoured outer band. The gripping pad can include gripping ridges for providing traction. The gripping pad can include ridge spaces for providing traction. The gripping pad can include removable grip devices for providing traction. A method of making an ant-slip overshoe includes providing a contoured outer band, providing a gripping pad disposed interior to the contoured outer band, and providing a web structure connecting the gripping pad to the contoured outer band.

Abstract: Disclosed is a foldable anti-slip overshoe for wearing over an item of footwear, comprising a lower section for placement beneath at least a portion of the sole of the footwear, and an upper section comprising a toe section, a heel section, and a vamp section, configured to fit over at least a portion of each of the toe, heel and vamp of the footwear respectively, wherein a lower surface of the overshoe is provided with at least one anti-slip feature.

Abstract: A covering for a shoe, the covering including: a body portion corresponding to a body portion of the shoe; a bottom portion corresponding to at least one of a sole and heel of the shoe; and one or more spikes arranged on the bottom portion, the one or more spikes being configured for one of football, baseball, soccer and golf.

Abstract: A traction element for a shoe is provided. The traction element including: a base element; at least one spike associated with the base element; and a securing element for securing the base element to the shoe; wherein the at least one spike is configured for one of football, baseball, soccer and golf.

Abstract: An apparatus, in its first, second, and third embodiments, that is intended to be temporarily attached to the soles of ski boots, whenever the wearer is not attached to skis and desires the ability to comfortably walk or desires protection for the soles of the ski boots. The first three embodiments generally comprise of sandal-like soles made of a resilient, elastic, springy material, which aids in the natural walking action by alternately compressing and releasing, adding energy to the step, thereby aiding walking while wearing ski boots. A fourth embodiment is made by altering the ski boots themselves so that the heel (41) and toe (40) sections of the boot are hinged (42) to the underside of the boot, and contain a spring that adds energy to each step taken by the user. The hinged sections are pinned against the boot while skiing.

Abstract: An antiskid attachment for footwear is described wherein the traction increases when lateral skidding occurs. The attachment comprises of a multitude of skid-resisting elements positioned between the shoe sole and the surface, and flexible linkage used to ensure appropriate positioning of the elements allowing natural walking and running movement and easy application with virtually any type of footwear. The attachment ensures improved traction on ice and snow, thereby reducing the possibility of slipping during inclement weather, without danger to the user or damage to surfaces when used on ice-free surfaces. The inventive universal method of traction enhancement using polyhedral elements is explained as deployed in, but not limited to, the present footwear attachment.

Abstract: Provided is a shoe having a bottom surface that is adjacent to the ground in normal use. A sole, which is sufficiently durable and/or strong for long-term outdoor use, forms at least a portion of the bottom surface, and an upper portion extends above the sole. A plurality of small material particles are bonded to at least a portion of the bottom surface of the shoe.

Abstract: A traction system for use on conventional flexible footwear is provided that includes both toe and heel sections that are independently attached to a wearer's footwear and are connected with a flexible linkage. The flexible linkage allows the traction system to move with the normal movement of the flexible footwear so as to provide a natural walking and running movement. The traction system provides numerous benefits over previously available crampon and other spiked traction systems, including flexibility, light weight, practical usability with a wide variety of footwear types—including highly flexible footwear such as running shoes, compactability, and ready adjustability between different sizes and types of footwear.

Abstract: A step-in binding system (20, 220) including a binding (24, 224) and an engagement member (26, 226) for securing a snowshoe to footwear (22). In one embodiment, the binding includes a pivotable latch (78) and a fixed latch (80), each having a pair of catches (116) for engaging a corresponding receiver (110) on the engagement member. The pivotable latch is pivotable between a closed position (CP) and an open position (OP) and is biased into the closed position by a helical rotational spring (100). The binding further includes an adjustment mechanism (32) extending between a toe member (28) and a heel member (30) that allows the distance between the toe and heel members to be selectively changed by a user. In another embodiment, the binding includes a pair of pivotable latches (278, 280), each biased into its closed position by two torsional rotational springs (300).

Abstract: An ice crampon for mountain climbing comprising a reinforcement 12B with a metal reinforcement, fitted with anchoring teeth 14, and a fastening device 30 comprising a lateral operating lever 32 forming a toggle joint for locking or unlocking the heel of the shoe along the pivoting direction of the operating lever 32.

Abstract: An ice spike comprises a fixing clamp attached to the fixed rear part of the armature and having a cross-bar designed to latch directly onto a rear rim of the sole. The front part of the armature comprises stop means to wedge the front of the shoe in the longitudinal direction. A strapping system is provided with at least one safety lanyard arranged to press the shoe against the bearing surface. After lengthwise adjustment of the strip has been performed according to the shoe size, fitting the shoe does not require any variation of distance between the rear fixing clamp and the front stop means.

Abstract: A fastening system for fastening a crampon to a mountain boot having a sole; the fastening system having at least one fastening seat formed in the sole of the mountain boot, and at least one fastening member carried by the crampon and which engages the fastening seat to fix the crampon to the mountain boot.

Abstract: An overshoe that is removably disposable on a user's shoe and provides a tread surface that enhances the user's footing on slippery surfaces. The tread surface has removable spikes that penetrate surfaces and forward-oriented and rearwards-oriented gripping ridges that grip the surface. The ease of pulling on and removing the overshoe is enhanced by using stretch zones that are placed to allow stretching of the overshoe to fit over a shoe or the like without compromising the snugness of the overshoe fit. A spike assembly for use with an overshoe that fits over a person's shoe and enhances a person's contact with the ground, includes a spike having a head operably coupled to a shank; and a button overmolded on the spike and having a neck for removable engagement in a bore defined in the overshoe. A method of minimizing slippage on a ground surface is further included.

Abstract: A shoe or foot covering with slip-resistant properties is disclosed. The shoe cover includes a slip-resistant material that is applied to the bottom portion of the shoe cover. The slip-resistant material may be a substantially amorphous atactic olefin polymer.

Abstract: An overshoe that is removably disposable on a user's shoe and provides a tread surface that enhances the user's footing on slippery surfaces. The tread surface has removable spikes that penetrate surfaces and forward-oriented and rearwards-oriented gripping ridges that grip the surface. The ease of pulling on and removing the overshoe is enhanced by using stretch zones that are placed to allow stretching of the overshoe to fit over a shoe or the like without compromising the snugness of the overshoe fit. A spike assembly for use with an overshoe that fits over a person's shoe and enhances a person's contact with the ground, includes a spike having a head operably coupled to a shank; and a button overmolded on the spike and having a neck for removable engagement in a bore defined in the overshoe. A method of minimizing slippage on a ground surface is further included.

Abstract: An overshoe that is removably disposable on a user's shoe and provides a tread surface that enhances the user's footing on slippery surfaces. The tread surface has removable spikes that penetrate surfaces and forward-oriented and rearwards-oriented gripping ridges that grip the surface. The ease of pulling on and removing the overshoe is enhanced by using stretch zones that are placed to allow stretching of the overshoe to fit over a shoe or the like without compromising the snugness of the overshoe fit. A spike assembly for use with an overshoe that fits over a person's shoe and enhances a person's contact with the ground, includes a spike having a head operably coupled to a shank; and a button overmolded on the spike and having a neck for removable engagement in a bore defined in the overshoe. A method of minimizing slippage on a ground surface is further included.

Abstract: Disclosed are chain-type crampons for preventing mountain-climbing boots from being slipped on a snowy road or icy road when climbing a mountain. The crampons having an elastic band and chains mounted on the band are provided with a plurality of spikes and link rings, so that a brake power on the snowy road or icy road is increased and snow is not adhered to the crampons.