Abstract: An improved binding for footwear traction devices, snowshoes and other footwear accessories that provides adjustable lateral supports and generally even platform or foot bed. Furthermore, an improved traction device with removable rear traction component to allow for use with detachable snowshoe platform.

Abstract: A sports footwear assembly for providing a removable bracket for a shoe to which cleats are removably attached includes a shoe with a rubber sole and a bracket for attaching to the sole which is rigid. A plurality of holders is coupled to the bracket, each of which is shaped to contain a plurality of cleats. Each cleat is removably coupled to one of the holders and extends downwardly to insert into a ground surface.

Abstract: A shoe friction control apparatus set that enables a user to specifically individually select a specific slide capability for one or more of their shoes from a plurality of different specific slide capacities. In various embodiments, the present disclosure enables a bowler to make a specific individual selection for the shoe on the bowler's slide foot. In various embodiments, the present disclosure enables a bowler to make this specific individual selection for the shoe on the bowler's other, non-slide, plant or kicker foot.

Abstract: An anti-slip member for a wearable equipment or sports equipment, the anti-slip member includes an elastic body including an elastomer and a hydrogel, and at least part of the hydrogel dispersed on a surface of the elastic body.

Abstract: A feed roll spike for mounting to a surface, i.e. the outer surface of a feed roller of a harvester head or a debarking machine. The feed roll spike comprises a substantially truncated cone shape base having a top side, a bottom side and an axis; and evenly-spaced identical projections extending upwardly from the top side of the base. The space between the projections defines channels.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a first plate and a second plate both extending longitudinally in a flexion region of the sole structure. The second plate is disposed above the first plate in the flexion region. The second plate has a fixed portion fixed to the first plate, and has a free portion. A coupler is operatively connected to one of the first plate and the free portion of the second plate. The coupler is selectably movable transversely relative to the first plate and the second plate between a first position and a second position. The coupler is spaced apart from the other one of the first plate and the free portion of the second plate in the first position, and operatively engages the other one of the first plate and the free portion of the second plate in the second position.

Abstract: A running shoe design focused on the heel section of running shoes used in, for example, T2 transition phase of the sport of triathlon. The heel reclines to facilitate the insertion of the foot without use of hands or need to bend in any way. Straps partially on the heel sides, kept at bay from premature contact with attachment pads on the forward portion of the running shoe, are kept away, and may also be kept later from premature contact by wire guides. Upon foot insertion, these straps, one on each side of the foot, are guided and securely affixed into place, for example, by a pressure movement of the opposite foot of the athlete.

Abstract: A sandal that includes loops extending around the periphery of the base of the sandal and a strap configured to connect to the loops and form an upper portion of the sandal. The sandals can include a base; a continuous cord that extends along the periphery of the upper surface of the base from a point near the toe end on one side of the base, around the heel end, and continues to a point near the toe end on the opposite side of the base; connectors that connect the cord to the base at spaced locations along the cord to thereby form loops along the base; and a strap. Each loop of the sandal can also include an identifier for each loop. Methods of forming an upper portion of a sandal and methods of forming a sandal.

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: In one embodiment, a hiking boot attachment is provided that assists in the descent of slopes. The hiking boot attachment includes a platform that engages the underside of a mid-portion of a sole of a hiking boot, in a region under a ball of a hiker's foot. A strap system is attached to the platform and secures the platform to the hiking boot. Further, one or more supports are secured to the platform. The one or more supports each have a portion that extends downward from a bottom face of the platform to engage the ground and lift the platform above the ground. This may reduce incline of the hiking boot when descending a slope. The portions of the one or more supports that engage the ground deliver downward force to regions of ground disposed to lateral sides of the hiking boot, to promote stability.

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: 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: The present invention relates to a crampon having a movable spike element in the rotation structure for both walking or climbing to improve walking convenience and safety of a user. The crampon according to the present invention comprises a binding bend; a main plate to be mounted to a sole of a climbing shoe; supporting shafts; movable spike elements axially coupled with the supporting shafts; pins fitted into the supporting shafts perpendicularly to the shafts; and rotating locking levers.

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: 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.

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: 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: 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: 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 gait adjusting device or harness is designed for attachment to an item of footwear, such as an athletic shoe. The harness has a panel with a lower face of predetermined adhering material designed to releasable attach or stick to a carpeted surface. A first set of straps extends from the panel for securing around the top of a shoe with the panel extending transversely across the sole of the shoe with the carpet adhering face facing downwardly, and a second set of straps extends from the panel in a direction transverse to the first set of straps for securing around the heel end of the shoe, securely holding the panel in the desired position.

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 harness for a snowshoe has straps, buckles and strap slip connections configured such that a single pull will snug the harness down to the boot, both at the toe and at the top of the arch, firmly engaging over the shoe or boot. The straps, which may be formed as a single strap, extend up from one side of the toe end of a footbed secured to the snowshoe, and pass through loops and buckles of the harness assembly in such a way that the ends of the straps, or a loop of the single strap can be pulled from between the buckles to tighten the harness at toe and arch areas simultaneously. Mechanical advantage preferably is provided at the toe end, by the strap looping back once before it reaches the buckle. The strap or straps are arranged and connected such that a flexible harness shell that extends up from one side of the footbed “floats” in position, accommodating a wide range of shoe or boot sizes.

Abstract: A gait adjusting device or harness is designed for attachment to an item of footwear, such as an athletic shoe. The harness has a panel with a lower face of predetermined adhering material designed to releasable attach or stick to a carpeted surface. A first set of straps extends from the panel for securing around the top of a shoe with the panel extending transversely across the sole of the shoe with the carpet adhering face facing downwardly, and a second set of straps extends from the panel in a direction transverse to the first set of straps for securing around the heel end of the shoe, securely holding the panel in the desired position.

Abstract: Full or partial footwear attaching anti slip surface grippers that one would wear over footwear to prevent slipping on slippery surfaces (comprising snowy, icy, watery, oily, greasy, waxy, soapy surfaces, etc . . . ) comprising, a footwear attaching mechanism that partially or fully covers footwear and secures the surface gripping mechanism to the full or partial bottom sole of footwear. The full or partial footwear attaching anti slip surface grippers are easily/conveniently detached or attached to footwear, are inexpensive, lightweight, cosmetically appealing, adjustable, easy to store, makes it possible for the people to have surface gripping ability outside of the sports arena where special purpose or sporting surface gripping shoes (mountain boots, snow shoes, snow sandals, football, baseball, or golf cleats) are worn and reduces the number of injuries from falls on ice in the winter.

Abstract: A toe guard for an open toe sandal is presented. The toe guard is formed of a curved panel of rigid plastic extending around and over the front toe portion of the foot bed of the sandal and can have a base wall disposed between an upper innersole and a lower outersole.

Abstract: Improved footwear and accessory devices, such as crampons, are disclosed for enhancing the performance of footwear under different conditions and, thus, providing more versatile footwear. The footwear has an outsole flex zone in a forefoot region that flexes during hiking and climbing in various terrains. The footwear also includes toe and heel attachment points for installation of an accessory, such as a crampon and, additionally, includes a midfoot attachment point for mounting of the accessory. The midfoot attachment point is preferably located between the outsole flex zone and the heel attachment point. A forefoot contact mechanism may also be provided in the footwear outsole that interacts with a rigid forefoot contact mechanism of the accessory to enhance the rigidity of the forefoot region when the accessory is mounted. A crampon accessory device for mounting on the footwear is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-ice and anti-snow bottom having a configuration similar to “box-type” shoe bottoms, with anti-slip tread and straps for application on the shoe.

Abstract: Crampon and snowshoe combinations are disclosed, wherein the crampon or terrain-engaging cleat can be a traditional ice crampon used on a rigid and essentially unbending boot, or a soft boot cleat which engages only the front portion of the boot, forward of the heel, permitting boot flexing. The snowshoe has in a toe or ball area a registry plate configured to engage with the crampon, preferably between depending teeth or other structure of the crampon, and preferably with a self-centering feature as the crampon is lowered down onto the registry plate. Once the cleat or crampon is fully engaged down against the plate, it is substantially locked in position against relative shifting or rotation, and lifting of the boot off the back of the crampon is restricted by clips or straps, preferably flexible straps extending up from the registry plate and securable to brackets or hooks on the crampon device. Specific configurations of cleats or crampons are also disclosed, for use with or without snowshoes.

Abstract: Crampon and snowshoe combinations are disclosed, wherein the crampon or terrain-engaging cleat can be a traditional ice crampon used on a rigid and essentially unbending boot, or a soft boot cleat which engages only the front portion of the boot, forward of the heel, permitting boot flexing. The snowshoe has in a toe or ball area a registry plate configured to engage with the crampon, preferably between depending teeth or other structure of the crampon, and preferably with a self-centering feature as the crampon is lowered down onto the registry plate. Once the cleat or crampon is fully engaged down against the plate, it is substantially locked in position against relative shifting or rotation, and lifting of the boot off the back of the crampon is restricted by clips or straps, preferably flexible straps extending up from the registry plate and securable to brackets or hooks on the crampon device. Specific configurations of cleats or crampons are also disclosed, for use with or without snowshoes.