Abstract: This slipper, which may be used in particular as an overshoe and is adaptable to feet of different foot sizes, comprises a series of elastic gathers 27 along the upper edge defining an opening of the slipper and is characterized in that it comprises at least one second series of elastic gathers 28 placed in an intermediate region between the upper edge and the sole of the slipper. Application in protective slippers or overshoes for use over a short period, in particular in the medical, industrial and nuclear fields.

Abstract: There as disclosed a disposable shoe cover and method of continuously manufacturing the shoe covers from two source rolls of flat, flexible material, producing no scrap.

Abstract: A metal shoe tap provided with a top thin flat horizontal member, a thin lip peripherally secured to said member and extending vertically downward to a bottom essentially horizontal edge, and a plurality of thin horizontally elongated plates which are either parallel or perpendicular to each other. The plates are secured to each other, to the bottom surface of the member and to the lip and extend downward to lower edges which are co-planar with the bottom edge of the lip. These plates define a plurality of generally rectangular cells open at the bottom and closed at the top with certain of said cells having an opening extending entirely through said thin flat horizontal member adapted for receiving a fastening member such as a screw.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a protective overshoe that is waterproof or water-resistant to afford protection to a variety of footwear. A plurality of elastic bands are positioned along different portions of the overshoe to properly position the overshoe on the wearer's leg and over the wearer's shoe or boot. The heel and sole portions are separated by an arch portion to facilitate folding of the heel and sole portions relative to each other, whereby the overshoe may be collapsed and folded for carrying or storage in a pouch.

Abstract: A step-in type overshoe composed of a molded plastic material which in its relaxed condition has a plurality of accordion-type pleats formed therein with their fold lines being generally horizontal. The overshoe has a flexible instep area arranged to be deformed upon receiving the toe of a shoe, together with a latching means for releasably compressing the rear end of the accordion-type pleats to permit seating of the shoe within the overshoe whereupon disengagement of the latching means returns the accordion-type pleats to their relaxed state embracing the foot of the wearer.

Abstract: A protector for encasing at least a portion of the cleats or spikes normally provided on the sole of an athletic shoe, or the like, and comprising a substantially flat body portion adapted to be disposed adjacent the outer surface of the sole, the body portion being provided with a plurality of transversely extending, longitudinally spaced channels for encasing at least a portion of the cleats, the channels being provided with strengthened outer surfaces for engaging the surface of the underfoot terrain for supporting the cleats in spaced relation thereto, thus protecting the terrain from damage by engagement with the cleats, the body portion having gripping elements engagable with either the cleats or with complimentary gripping elements provided on the shoe for removably securing the protector to the shoe in a manner facilitating both the installation and removal of the protection therefrom.

Abstract: A non-slip overshoe having at least one thin metal plate operably attached to its lower surface. The plate is provided with a series of sharp projections to provide gripping on slippery surfaces. Fixed and removable plate attachment means are disclosed.

Abstract: An adjustable mechanically cushioned heel for a shoe comprises a recess adjacent one of the lateral borders of the heel area and ground-engaging members removably attached to the recess. Each of the ground-engaging members includes a relatively stiff spring element to provide a cushioning effect at the one lateral border of the heel area. Independent adjustable couplings between the ground-engaging members and the recess allow the user to independently alter the spring constant of each spring element to vary the cushioning effect at the lateral border of the heel.

Abstract: An integral ski boot binding formed by a boot and operably connected boot plate is pivotally and releasably connected at a forward end to a toepiece mounted on a ski. A heel of the boot can be left free for touring skiing or clamped by a heelpiece mounted on the ski for alpine skiing. When the binding is released from the ski, a walking sole is attached to the boot plate. In an alternative embodiment, the boot plate is selectively positionable between two positions. In a first position, for touring, the forward end of the boot plate connects to the toepiece and in a second position, for alpine skiing, the forward end of the boot plate is directed toward a rearward portion of the boot, and connects to the toepiece at a point approximately midway along the length of the boot.

Abstract: An overshoe is provided having improved means for facilitating its being put on or taken off, especially over bulky or unusually shaped footwear. The overshoe is provided with opposing apertures on either side of the ankle, extending from almost the heel, vertically to the top of the ankle of the overshoe. These apertures are closed by appropriate fasteners, such as slide type fasteners, which are attached to expandable flaps so that the entire ankle portion of the overshoe can adapt to bulky footwear. When the overshoe is unfastened, the rear portion of the ankle of the overshoe serves as a convenient grip to facilitate putting on or taking off of the overshoe. The overshoe is particularly adapted to be worn over orthopedic type shoes.

Abstract: A safety waterproof boot of molded plastics material is provided having an integral sole and upper, the upper including a toe portion and a metatarsal portion, a metallic plate provided in the sole portion and extending the width and length thereof and allowing for longitudinal flexing of the sole, a box-shaped rigid toe guard provided in the toe portion, a rigid arched metatarsal guard member extending laterally and having side portions connected to the sole plate, the trailing edge of the toe guard being spaced inwardly relative to the leading edge of the metatarsal guard and the molded plastics material extending between the metatarsal guard and the toe guard having a flexible hinge portion in the form of a reverse fold such that the trailing edge of the toe guard will pivot inwardly of the leading edge of the metatarsal guard when the toe portion of the boot is being pivoted relative to the boot.

Abstract: Safety device for crampons which permits a mountain climber to travel without danger on snow-covered slopes by preventing snow from accumulating below his crampons, would cause him to slip and fall. It comprises a sheet of deformable material which placed below the frame of the crampon and fastened to it by a plurality of side hooks and end hooks. The user can install it very easily. The invention may be used to equip all types of crampons and thus promote the safety of mountain climbers.

Abstract: The heel of a shoe is formed with replaceable inserts or knobs that may be formed of material that is the same as or different from the material of the heel and the manner of mounting is such that a user may readily replace the inserts to prevent or limit wear of the shoe heel.

Abstract: A boot suitable for after skiing is described which comprises a sole portion, an exterior vamp portion connected to the sole portion, the exterior vamp portion being turned at the top to form a turned over portion, an interior layer continuous with the turned over vamp portion, a chamber between the exterior portion and the interior layer, the chamber being closed and being inaccessible to the exterior environment. The ski boot may be of knee-high type or ankle-high type. The interior layer may be manufactured separate from the vamp portion and may be joined to the vamp portion by a seam. The interior layer may consist of a stocking which is joined to the top edge of the vamp portion, the stocking having the shape of a foot opposite to the foot portion of the boot, with the stocking being turned in the interior of the boot.

Abstract: A light weight flexible boot to be worn over a foot in a surgical cast and protect the cast from moisture. The boot has a walking sole of tough rubber type material with a cushion sole and an upper body composed entirely of flexible and elastic foam material, with an inner fabric layer and an outer covering of water impervious fabric. The boot can be stretched over various sizes and shapes of casts and all joints in the boot are completely sealed and waterproof.

Abstract: A protective device for spiked athletic shoes to prevent damage from and by the spikes. The protective device comprises a sole portion containing a plurality of spike-accepting apertures, and resilient clips for holding the device to the athletic shoe. One of the resilient clips is designed to grip the toe welt, while a pair of spaced clips grip the heel of the shoe. In another embodiment, the heel gripping clips are staggered on opposite protective devices so that the devices may be placed together in face-to-face relationship for compact storage. In another embodiment, the clips are pivotally attached to the protective device, and can be pivoted flush with the device when not in use for storage.

Abstract: A reversible shoe boot is provided with one sole having normal slip resistance and when turned inside out the second sole surface with ice slip resistance with a semi-rigid inner sole protecting the feet and the slip resistance surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reinforcing pad adapted to be glued or otherwise secured to the high-wear areas of athletic shoes. Specifically, the pad comprises generally a tear drop or triangular-shaped piece of high denisty or high impact material such as polyurethane having a durometer of from about 70 to about 95 on the Shore A scale. The body is adapted to be secured to the shoe with the hypotenuse of the triangle or one side of the tear drop shape extending generally fore and aft of the sole and with the thicker side of the shape adjacent an edge of the sole.

Abstract: An improvement for waterproofing a prosthetic foot of the type having a foot body surrounding a keel includes a layer of water repellent resilient material cemented to a bottom surface and front, rear and side edges of a lower portion of the foot body extending from the toe to the heel and a coating of water repellent material covering the top portion of the foot body and the interface of the edges of the layer of water repellent resilient material with the lower portion of the foot body such that the prosthetic foot can be immersed in water while the water is prevented from reaching the keel.

Abstract: A shoe cover is described for use in dust-free and decontamination rooms, as protective rainwear, or the like, characterized in that it is made as a one-piece unit of thin, pliable, elastic material including a sole portion and a top portion formed in the shape of a foot to tightly enclose the complete wearer's shoe and to extend slightly above and to grip its upper edge, the outer face of the shoe cover being formed with a network of ribs which increase its tensile and shear strength, isolate tears, and reduce slip. Also described is a method of making the shoe cover wherein a form is dipped obliquely into a latex bath after having been coated with a coagulant, is dried, and is then stripped of the produced shoe cover.

Abstract: A foot warmer constructed of a stiff insulating foam material such as polystyrene, is illustrated having a displaceable front end panel providing an opening when displaced for receiving a wearer's shoe, boot, and the like enabling the foot warmer to be readily placed upon the foot and the front end panel replaced to thus provide a foot warmer wherein insulation extends about the leg of the wearer at least as far up as the area of the ankle to provide an effective foot warmer.

Abstract: The footwear comprises a liner, which is provided with a marking, and an outer layer, which covers the liner and consists of at least partly transparent plastics material. An inner layer may be provided, if desired. The outer layer constitutes a shell, which includes the sole.

Abstract: A plate-like body member is arranged to be secured on the bottom of a boot sole over existing binding holes in the bottom surface of the boot sole which receive stabilizing pins on the ski. Apertures are provided in the body member in alignment with the binding holes in the ski boot to reinforce the binding holes against lateral wear. The body member has upturned tabs arranged to extend up the side edges and over the top of the sole. These tabs are secured to the sole by suitable fasteners. The body member has an elongated upturned tab at the front arranged to lie against the front edge of the boot sole for further stability.

Abstract: A golf overshoe which is fabricated of flexible rubber or plastic which fits over a pair of golf shoes, with the heel and sole portions of the overshoe formed as an open section to provide for clearance for the spikes of a golf shoe about which the overshoe is fitted. The rear section of the overshoe, fitting about the rear of a golf shoe is divided to form an overlap and strap is fastened by a snap fastener to hold the attached section in position.

Abstract: A ski boot sole covering assembly is specifically shaped to cover and protect all of the sole surfaces of a ski boot so as to be worn when the skis are not attached, thereby to preserve the integrity of the ski binding-engaging surfaces of the boot. The assembly also embodies a sole portion which is thickest in the area intermediate the toe and heel so as to allow a rocking action when walking.

Abstract: Reinforcing elements for shoe soles and heels, wherein the reinforcing elements are detachably mounted in a spaced configuration to the bottom base of the shoe sole or heel. The reinforcing elements extend the life of the sole or heel, as well as reduce heat build up within the shoe by providing an air cushion beneath the shoe sole.