Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a first annular group of traction elements arranged along a first annular zone and a second annular group of traction elements arranged along a second annular zone concentric with the first annular group. The first and second annular groups of traction elements include a plurality of directional traction elements arranged in a first rotational direction about a common rotation zone. Optionally, the first annular group of traction elements may include an omnidirectional traction element arranged at a location associated with a relatively low degree of alignment between radii of rotation corresponding to different torsional movements of the sole structure during use. The directional traction elements may include unidirectional traction elements or bidirectional traction elements at locations associated with moderate to high degrees of alignment between radii of rotation corresponding to the different torsional movements.

Abstract: A sole structure of an article of footwear is provided and includes a first midsole portion including a first sidewall and a second midsole portion including a second sidewall. The sole structure also includes a first sheet disposed between the first midsole portion and the second midsole portion and including a first surface and a second surface formed on an opposite side of the first sheet than the first surface. The first sheet includes one or more apertures extending through the first sheet from the first surface to the second surface. The first midsole portion and the second midsole portion are operably connected through the one or more apertures of the first sheet.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear. The sole structure includes at least one support plate located on an underside of a midsole on a medial forefoot side of the midsole and extending from a medial edge of the midsole to at least a longitudinal center line of the midsole, wherein a lateral edge of the plate is located medially of the lateral edge of the midsole. The support plate may contain at least one sipe or groove extending laterally across the midsole to provide flexibility in a forefoot-to-heel direction of the midsole. The support plate may contain at least one rail.

Abstract: An outsole for an athletic shoe that includes a heel section and a forefoot section. The heel and forefoot sections are on the outer surface of the outsole. The forefoot section includes a tread pattern that provides first and second ground friction forces. The first ground friction force promotes rotation in a first rotational direction about a rotation point of the forefoot section. The second ground friction force restricts rotation in a second rotational direction about the rotation point. The second rotational direction is opposite of the first rotational direction and the second ground friction force is greater than the first ground friction force.

Abstract: A non-cleated, soft metal traction device reduces or eliminates slippage on wet and hard surfaces, such as mossy rocks beneath the water surface of a body of water. The traction device includes at least one external metal shank, plate or bar attachable to a footwear item with a desired binding system. The shank is preferably made from a soft metal material, such as a non-heat-treated aluminum alloy, so it is soft enough to grip and elastically conform to moist, wet or otherwise slippery rock and shale. The contact surface of the shank may include grooves, ribs, spaced apart ridges, or other small surface variations to improve the traction of the device in transition environments.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a footwear portion including a core including a plurality of plates. A first one of the plurality of plates is hingedly attached, at one or more edges of the first plate, to one or more substantially adjacent other plates in the plurality of plates. Each hinge hingedly attaching an edge of the first plate to another plate joins less than the entire respective hingedly attached edge to a corresponding one of the one or more substantially adjacent other plates and is integrally connected to the first plate.

Abstract: A protective system for articles of footwear includes a protective member that may be used to protect a sole structure from components of a graphic transfer assembly. The protective member can include adjustment members for adjusting the effective depth of different portions of the protective member. The protective member can also include adjustable covering portions for protecting portions of an upper.

Abstract: A disposable shoe bottom cover for allowing a user easily cover the bottom of shoes being worn with a securely fitted, non-slip structure. The invention comprises a bottom base with a first front attachment lip, a second front attachment lip, a first back attachment lip, and a second back attachment lip. The bottom base is configured to be stretchable to be placed over and to cover the bottom of a shoe and the attachment lips provide opposing surfaces which allow the disposable shoe bottom cover to be secured to the bottom of a shoe by way of engaging the toe portion of the shoe and the heel portion of the shoe. The invention is operated by supplying manual force to stretch apart one front attachment lip and one back attachment lip, placing the bottom of a shoe on the stretched bottom base, and removing the manual force.

Abstract: An attachable shoe sole protector is provided as a means of increasing the longevity of a shoe's sole while providing increased structural stability and traction to the attached shoe. The attachable shoe sole protector contains utilizes a shoe mount, a toe assembly, and a heel assembly. The shoe mount is provided as the portion that peripherally attaches to the existing shoe. The toe assembly is a structural element that utilizes a rigid construction in order to reinforce the shoe mount's engagement proximal to the existing shoe's toe section. The heel assembly is a structural element that utilizes a rigid construction in order to reinforce the shoe mounts engagement proximal to the existing shoe's heel section. The toe assembly and the heel assembly additionally include treaded portions that improve the traction of the existing shoe, enabling the wearer to use various types of shoes for a plurality of unintended activities.

Abstract: An attachable shoe sole protector is provided as a means of increasing the longevity of a shoe's sole while providing increased structural stability and traction to the attached shoe. The present invention comprises a shoe mount, a toe assembly, and a heel assembly. The shoe mount is provided as the portion of the present invention that peripherally attaches to the existing shoe. The toe assembly is a structural element that utilizes a rigid construction in order to reinforce the shoe mount's engagement proximal to the existing shoe's toe section. The heel assembly is a structural element that utilizes a rigid construction in order to reinforce the shoe mounts engagement proximal to the existing shoe's heel section. The toe assembly and the heel assembly additionally include treaded portions that improve the traction of the existing shoe, enabling the wearer to use various types of shoes for a plurality of unintended activities.

Abstract: A shoe sole covering assembly includes a panel that has a top side, a bottom side and a perimeter edge. The panel has a shape of a shoe sole. An adhesive is positioned on and covers the top side. The adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive and is configured to removably adhere the panel to a bottom surface of a shoe sole.

Abstract: A protective system for articles of footwear includes a protective member that may be used to protect a sole structure from components of a graphic transfer assembly. The protective member can include adjustment members for adjusting the effective depth of different portions of the protective member. The protective member can also include adjustable covering portions for protecting portions of an upper.

Abstract: An article of footwear with an outer member including slots that increase flexibility is disclosed. The outer member also includes an inner plate including a set of protective strips. The inner plate is disposed along an inner surface of the outer member so that the protective strips are aligned with and cover the slots in the outer member.

Abstract: The present invention describes a dispenser of protective covers for the sole of a shoe. The sole covers are disposed on a sheet that is placed within the dispenser. The dispenser comprises a series of roller supports that are adapted to position the sheet of solve covers onto an exposed platform. A user steps the exposed platform in order to apply the cover to the user's footwear and remove the sole cover from the sheet. The top of the sole cover includes an adhesive that enables the cover to adhere to the sole of the user's shoe, thereby enabling a user to walk around the house while reducing the likelihood that the user would spread dirt therein.

Abstract: A new shoe sole cover accessory for providing a way to reduce friction between feet and carpeted or rubber type surfaces for dance fitness. The inventive device includes a piece of smooth fabric material such as 210 denier coated nylon oxford fabric and two fastening bands such as elastic, affixed parallel to one another. One fastening band attaches to two corners of the fabric while the other fastening band attaches to the other two corners of the fabric, thus creating an attachable shoe sole cover accessory for friction reduction on carpet for dance fitness. The shoe sole cover accessory is then attached to the shoes by sliding the fastening bands over the top surface of the shoe, with the fabric sliding over the bottom surface of the shoe. When attached securely in this manner, the shoe sole cover accessory reduces friction between carpet or rubber type surface and feet.

Abstract: An article of footwear with an outer member including slots that increase flexibility is disclosed. The outer member also includes an inner plate including a set of protective strips. The inner plate is disposed along an inner surface of the outer member so that the protective strips are aligned with and cover the slots in the outer member.

Abstract: An articulating footwear sole is provided. The articulating footwear sole includes a midsole having a recess a first plate having a first end interlocking with a second end of a second plate, the first and second plates positioned within the plate recess and held in place free of adhesive. In another embodiment, the sole includes a midsole having a recess, a first plate including a first end, and a second plate including a second end, the first end configured to moveably overlap with the second end, the first and second plates positioned in the recess. Still other examples are also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a multilayer protective boot having means for flame resistance, electric shock resistance and chainsaw cut resistance. The boot is designed to meet all of the NFPA 1971:2007, CE/EN ISO 20345-2:1996, and CSA-? standards for firefighter protective footwear and the CE/EN ISO 20345-2 SB E, CSA Class 1/ANSI, CE Chainsaw Class 3, and CSA “Green Tree” Chainsaw Z195-02 standards for chainsaw operator protective footwear These standards are met through the use of layers of Kevlar®, rubber and polyamide tricot materials in the vamp, leg, sole, toe cap and back reinforcement regions of the protective boot.

Abstract: The present invention is a transparent thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) comprising structural units of: a.) a diisocyanate; b.1) a polyester diol and b.2) a specific polyether diol and c.) a chain extender. The TPU has good combinations of light transmission and clarity, tensile strength, low temperature flexibility, and high moisture vapor transition rates compared to other commercial or known TPUs. A preferred example composition is a TPU that is based on MDI as the diisocyanate monomer, polycaprolactone as a polyester diol, an EO capped EO/PO polyether diol containing less than 20% EO, and butanediol as chain extender. These composition have good combinations of clarity, tensile strength, hydrolytic stability and processability compared to TPUs prepared using either polyester or polyether diols alone or the combination with a higher EO polyether diol.

Abstract: A shoe cover for a court shoe. The shoe cover has an upper region with a toe cap, a mid-shoe region, and a heel cup. The upper region has sidewalls with expansible zones formed therein. The expansible zones are either generally thin and flexible areas that allow deformation of the upper to accommodate a court shoe to be engaged therewith, or are accordion-like. The shoe cover further includes a sole with an expansion zone formed therein.

Abstract: The cleat sole protection system comprises an auxiliary sole having an outer sole and a midsole, a first set of straps that attach around the toe region of the cleated shoe, a second set of straps that attach around the metatarsal region of the cleated shoe, and in some embodiments there may be a third set of straps attached to the second set of straps which wrap around the back of the heel area of the cleated shoe. The auxiliary sole may comprise a wedge profile that gives the appearance of a sandal and is easily placed on the bottom of a cleated shoe and quickly strapped into place for the protection of wood, tile, and other types of flooring that can be damaged by cleated sports shoes.

Abstract: A insole (1) having puncture-resistant properties for safety footwear, comprising an anterior portion (2) extending from a toe region (3) to a metatarsal region (4) of the insole and a posterior portion (5) extending from the metatarsal region to a heel region (6) longitudinally opposite the toe region. The posterior portion (5) comprises at least one substantially rigid layer (8) made of composite material formed from a fibre-reinforced polymer matrix and the anterior portion (2) is formed of a substantially flexible material comprising at least one layer (7) formed of polymer fibres having enhanced puncture-resistant properties.

Abstract: A blast wave attenuator comprising: a deflector and a foam or foamed composite inside of the deflector. The foamed composite may be a combination of fabrics, fibers, and small reinforcements embedded in a polymeric foam matrix. The foamed composites can be fabricated using a one-step process. The deflector can be manufactured from metal sheets including but not limited to titanium, stainless steel, carbon steel, and superalloys. The blast wave attenuator of the present invention greatly improves the impact resistance and protection of blast protective footwear and combat boots or the like without sacrificing traction or mobility.

Abstract: Systems and methods for constructing custom orthotics are described. Several embodiments of the system use sensor pads to obtain both static and dynamic three dimensional information concerning the shape or topography of the bottom surface of a patient's foot. The information is analyzed to obtain information useful in constructing a custom orthotic from a selection of basic orthotic shells. Once constructed, the orthotic can modify a patient's gait. One embodiment of the present invention includes a user terminal including a sensor pad connected to a computer, a server configured to analyze three dimensional information acquired by the sensor pad, a manufacturing terminal configured to display the results of the server's analysis of the three dimensional information and a network that connects the user terminal to the server and the server to the manufacturing terminal.

Abstract: A multi-layered protector is adapted to attach to and cover the entire sole of a shoe to protect the sole from being marred or otherwise damaged when the shoe is worn by a user. The protector includes a ground engaging layer, a wear indicating layer and an adhesive layer. The wear indicating layer is rigid in character and provides immediate feedback to a user of its exposure. A removable peel layer adjacent the adhesive layer may be removed in order to attach the sole protector to the sole of the shoe. Preferably, the ground engaging layer includes an upwardly extending, peripheral rim portion adapted to protect the outer edge portions of the sole. A deformable conforming layer is optionally provided between the wear indicating layer and the adhesive layer. The protector may be adapted for customization or may be produced specifically for use with a particular shoe.

Abstract: The subject invention improves traditional safety equipment intended to protect the lower leg, ankle, foot, and toes applicable in industrial and commercial as well as casual and athletic uses. The personal protective equipment (PPE) of the subject invention comprises a soleplate, a metatarsal component, a toe cap, and a tibia-fibula component; these components can be implemented alone or in combination within a shoe or boot providing for various levels of protection depending on the desired application. Further embodiments provide for both the implementation of the protective components within the footwear as well as components that can be worn in conjunction with pre-existing shoes or boots.

Abstract: The present invention is a removable puncture protective footwear insert with an insole with an orthotic shape that includes an arch support and a heel cup made of a cellular foam product, a multiple layer protective material where the layers are bonded together and held within the insole and a cushioning and shock absorption material that helps maintain the insole orthotic shape. The cellular foam product is Poron or ethylene vinyl acetate, Poron and ethylene acetate and the insole can be with or without the heel cup. The multiple layer protective material is a SWEN FLEX material or Lenz Egisto puncture proof material. There are also two or more separate methods for manufacturing a removable puncture protective footwear insert.

Abstract: A sole wear protection system for minimizing wear to a sole of a shoe includes a shoe being worn on a foot. The shoe includes an upper positioned over the foot when the shoe is being worn. The shoe includes a sole coupled to the upper and positioned under the foot when the shoe is being worn. A plurality of sleeves extends into the sole of the shoe. Each of the sleeves includes an open bottom end. A plurality of plate assemblies is mountable to sleeves. The plate assemblies are positioned between the sole and a support surface to minimize contact between the sole and the support surface.

Abstract: A protective foot pad includes a sheet of protective material having a main body portion in the shape of the ball of a human foot and a locating tab extending from the main body portion for location between the first and second toes of the foot, an adhesive on one surface of the sheet for adhering the sheet to the foot, and a removable release liner covering the adhesive until the pad is to be adhered to the foot. The pad is especially suited for protecting the bare foot of a dancer, who will use the pad by removing the release liner to expose the adhesive, placing the exposed adhesive on the bottom of his or her foot to cover at least a portion of the ball of the foot, with the tab extending between the first and second toes, and bending the locating tab over the skin between the first and second toes. The main body portion can include one or more lateral extensions that adhere to the side of the foot.

Abstract: An article of footwear with an outer member including slots that increase flexibility is disclosed. The outer member also includes an inner plate including a set of protective strips. The inner plate is disposed along an inner surface of the outer member so that the protective strips are aligned with and cover the slots in the outer member.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides one or more improvements including inexpensive covers for providing warmth and distinctive colorations and indicia to ice skating team members. Other embodiments are adopted for use with in-line roller skates. Embodiments are constructed from a single piece of fabric. Embodiments protect the sole of the user's skate boot from contact with ice and snow.

Abstract: The present invention discloses various features and combinations thereof for use with articles of footwear such as boots. The boots are especially adapted for use on construction projects, and provide protection, support and comfort to the wearer. Numerous outsole configurations and styles are provided, which provide superior traction and a low center of gravity for enhanced balance. Different layers of materials provide puncture resistance, abrasion resistance, thermal insulation, waterproofing and other benefits. Protective and/or insulative plates may be utilized in the footwear for puncture protection or thermal insulation, for example. Shovel guards protect the wearer when using a tool, and toe tools permit the wearer to employ the boot as a tool of its own. Structural support cages chimney structures are also utilized for support and comfort.

Abstract: Foot impression generating apparatus comprising impression platforms including buns of open-cell sponge material bonded to an supporting non-porous skins formed of non-blown sponge material is utilized for making foot impressions by a consumer. The sponge material comprises a blended mixture of elastomeric thermosetting material and low melting temperature thermoplastic material chosen such that the buns and skins are respectively flexible and then become rigid when heated and then cooled above and below the plastic temperature range of the thermoplastic material. The consumer steps into heated impression platforms to form the foot impressions and then they are cooled and “frozen” in place. Next, scanning means are used to create a digital contour map of the foot impressions. Then a digitally controlled milling machine is utilized for forming shoe inserts in conformance with the digital contour map.

Abstract: A flexible anti-nail protective footwear, which prevents injuries caused by pointed objects penetrating from below, comprises an upper part which is closed at its lower portion; a flexible outsole attached to the upper part; and a flexible anti-nail protective layer comprising a felted layer of polymer fibers, in which felted layer the polymer fibers are present in a non-woven condition. The flexible anti-nail protective layer is arranged in between the upper part and the flexible outsole or within the flexible outsole.

Abstract: A sole protector tablet (6) includes a plurality of sole protectors (11) nominally stacked on top of each other, where each sole protector (1) has a ground touching surface (3) and a foot touching surface (4). The tablet also includes means for securing one sole protector (1) to at least one other sole protector (1), such that the foot touching surface (4) of the first top sole protector (9) engages the ground touching surface (3) of the second sole protector (10) beneath it.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is disclosed safety footwear comprising a unitarily moulded lower member having a sole portion and a toe cap portion. One or more protective elements are embedded in the unitarily moulded lower member so as to prevent breaches thereof.

Abstract: A non-slip shoe cover includes a body, a toe cap and a holding member. The body has a sole, multiple protrusions and multiple studs. The sole has a bottom, a front section, a rear section and a cutout defined between the front section and the rear section. The protrusions are formed integrally on the front section and the rear section of the sole and protrude out from the bottom of the sole. The studs are mounted on the front section and the rear section of the sole and protrude out from the bottom of the sole. The toe cap is formed integrally on the front section of the sole. The holding member is formed integrally on the rear section of the sole.

Abstract: A shoe pad made of a flexible thin sheet material (paper or plastics) for adhering to the outer sole of a shoe to prevent floor contamination is disclosed having a top surface, an adhesive zone disposed on the top surface for adhering to the shoe pad to the outer sole of a shoe, and a smooth bottom surface disposed opposite to the top surface.

Abstract: A sole construction for use in the manufacture of a shoe has an outer sole made of a soft and pliable natural or synthetic elastomeric material having a substantially uniform thickness over its entire area. The outer sole has a substantially planar external surface (when relaxed) for contacting the ground, with cuts formed therein to enhance grip. A puncture-resistant inner sheet of woven synthetic fibers is bonded to the internal surface of the outer sole and an inner lining is bonded to the puncture-resistant inner sheet. A removable soft insole may be provided on the inner lining. The sole construction is lightweight and highly flexible such that a foot of a wearer may flex in the same manner as if the wearer was barefoot with the puncture-resistant inner sheet protecting the wearer's foot from accidental injury from sharp objects on which the wearer may tread.

Abstract: A multi-layered protector is adapted to attach to and cover the entire sole of a shoe to protect the sole from being marred or otherwise damaged when the shoe is worn by a user. The protector includes a ground engaging layer, a wear indicating layer and an adhesive layer. The wear indicating layer is rigid in character and provides immediate feedback to a user of its exposure. A removable peel layer adjacent the adhesive layer may be removed in order to attach the sole protector to the sole of the shoe. Preferably, the ground engaging layer includes an upwardly extending, peripheral rim portion adapted to protect the outer edge portions of the sole. A deformable conforming layer is optionally provided between the wear indicating layer and the adhesive layer. The protector may be adapted for customization or may be produced specifically for use with a particular shoe.

Abstract: A sole for shoes, particularly for practicing sports, including a sole body that forms, at at least one perimetric portion, a recessed region for detachably accommodating at least one pad, which is provided with a first wing that overlaps the recessed region and with a second wing that forms a lateral rising portion that can be arranged so as to protect an outer profile of the shoe.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a sole assembly having a first fixed portion and a second removable portion, wherein the removable portion is removably mounted to allow replacement, at least one projection extending from a peripheral edge area of the second portion and configured to be engaged with at least one portion of the sole assembly, at least one aperture formed in the second portion and at least one securing device which projects at least partially through the at least one aperture to secure the second portion to the sole assembly.

Abstract: An object of footwear for children which allows adults to visually determine whether the shoe proper fits the child and can be adjusted in its effective size when it is determined that the shoe has become too small. The article of footwear comprises a fitting system comprising: (1) a substantially transparent window disposed in a predetermined location in the vamp so that when a wearer who has a foot that properly fits in the article of footwear puts on the article of footwear, a portion of a toe of the wearer can be seen through the window, and (2) a sizing member attached to the upper, the sizing member being placed within the opening against the heel portion to create a first effective size of the article of footwear, the sizing member being removable to create a second effective size of the article of footwear. The present invention also provides a method of determining when to adjust the effective size of an article of footwear and adjusting the effective size of the article of footwear.

Abstract: A “RED e” cleat is a disposable, self-adhesive, all-surface footwear cleat having a non-skid gripping surface, designed to address all sport, game, play and work foot-traction requirements. The “RED e” cleat replaces the need for specialty footwear, which incorporates permanently implanted or attached devices for affixing traction gear to the underside of shoes. The cleats attach simply and quickly to the sole and heel area of any footwear. Removal of the cleat is also simple. By sliding a flat-edged tool between the cleat and the surface of the footwear to break the seal, the cleat will peel away leaving the footwear ready for other uses.

Abstract: A shoe cover has an upper and a sole connected to the upper. The upper includes at least one, self-supporting and resilient shoe admission portion connected to the sole. The shoe admission portion has an inwardly inclined lead-in surface extending toward the sole, and an overhang surface extending from the lead-in surface toward the sole portion. The overhang surface is adapted to form an undercut area so that a shoe to be held to the shoe cover first engages and slides along the inclined lead-in surface to resiliently expand the admission portion outwardly without being crushed, and then slides into engagement with the overhang surface to enter the undercut area. A length adjusting mechanism may be provided for adjusting the length of the sole.

Abstract: Anti-microbial and/or anti-fungal footwear components formed from various thermoplastic polymers and additives in fibers in a mono-component form or a bi-component form in either a core-sheath or side-by-side configurations. The anti-microbial synthetic fibers include inorganic anti-microbial additives, distributed in certain areas to reduce the amount of the anti-microbial agents being used, and therefore the cost of such fibers. In certain embodiments, high tenacity polymers (e.g. PET) are employed in one portion and hydrolysis resistance polymers (e.g. PCT) in another portion with the additives. The fibers can further be blended with non-anti-microbial fibers such as cotton, wool, polyester, acrylic, nylon etc. to provide anti-microbial finished fabrics. In one embodiment, binder fibers are used which are mixed with other fibers.

Abstract: A boot that includes a sole and an outer upper having an impervious portion, with at least one outer reinforcing element assembled to the upper by cementing at least in the impervious portion thereof. Preferably, the reinforcing element includes a heel reinforcement and lateral tightening flaps.

Abstract: A preferably three layer protective orthotic insert for footwear is provided. According to one embodiment, a bottom layer is a single stainless steel sheet. A middle layer is a polyurethane layer, shaped to the contour of the bottom of a foot and including orthotic supports, disposed over the single stainless steel sheet. And a top layer is a membrane secured to the molded polyurethane layer. A method for making the protective orthotic insert is also provided.

Abstract: A tap dancing shoe has a shock absorbing cushion to minimize the potential for injury caused by the repetitive stresses placed upon the feet and knees during tap dancing. The tap dancing shoe includes a shoe upper that can be fabricated from a variety of materials. The shoe upper is attached to a rigid sole such that the shoe upper and the top surface of the sole create a shoe cavity to encase the foot. The width of the shoe cavity may be adjusted by an adjustable portion of the shoe upper to insure that the tap dancing shoe fits securely on the foot of the dancer. A rigid heel is attached to the sole of the tap dancing shoe. Tap plates are then secured to the sole of the tap dancing shoes. Generally, a front tap plate is attached at the front, or ball portion, of the shoe, and a heel tap plate is attached to the heel of the tap dancing shoe. A shock absorbing cushion is permanently affixed to the sole of the tap dancing shoe within the shoe cavity.

Abstract: A foot protector includes a resilient sheet member having a shape generally matching a shape of a sole of a foot and having a size generally corresponding to a size of the foot. The resilient sheet member has a foot-contact surface, and a tack adhesive layer is provided on at least a portion of the foot-contact surface. The foot protector is lightweight and readily removable and disposable. The foot protector readily conforms to the three-dimensional contours of the sole of the feet, allowing increased mobility of the foot and increased adhesion as a greater effective contact surface area is provided. The foot protector is also preferably of a substantially constant thickness to reduce manufacturing costs.