Abstract: Transformable shoe frames are described wherein the heel of the shoe can be extended downwardly in a high heel position or converted to a low heel position. The shoe frame is made in sections that are pivotally connected to each other and mechanisms have been provided to lock the sections together in varying positions, so that the angle between the toe portion and the remainder of the shoe can be adjusted to maximize the comfort of the wearer depending on whether the heel is in a high heel or a low heel position. Additional mechanisms are illustrated to change the contour of the arch when the heel height is changed. In a preferred embodiment the heel is stowable under the sole of the shoe and the sole will have a well defined flexible region in the distal metatarsal region of the shoe, either by having a hinged joint or built in flexibility.

Abstract: A levered footwear to provide a manipulating force to an aquatic board is described. The footwear has a rigid structure extending to the rear of the heel of the wearer, which is attached to a flexible member covering a portion of the wearer's foot. An adjustable strapping holds the flexible member in place on the wearer's foot.

Abstract: Footwear which is versatilely useful for both land and water sports is described along with a method of production. A stretchable fabric vamp is conformable around the upper arch region of a user's foot. The vamp is joined to an upper edge of an elastomeric base piece including sole and fin portions. The flexibility of the vamp provides comfort and versatility for various walking, running, surfing or swimming activities. The base piece is more rigid than the vamp. The fin is stabilized by a toe support which contains the user's toes and is part of the same unitary base piece. The rigidity of the base piece provides hardness for the sole to protect the foot from harsh ground conditions and stiffness for the fin producing desirable water resistance qualities for enhancing swim power.

Abstract: An improved composite for absorbing and dispersing impacting forces is disclosed. The composite includes a flexible plastic enclosure defining an internal cavity. The flexible enclosure is generally impermeable to air and capable of having its internal pressure changed. The composite further includes a foam core filling the cavity and retained within the cavity and adhered on substantially all of its external surface to the internal surface of the cavity. The cavity can be pressurized for higher impact absorbance. Methods for fabricating the composites are disclosed, as well.

Abstract: Slipper type article and method for the application and removal of water sports apparel such as wet suits, dry suits and wet suit booties. The slipper is composed of a hydrophobic material such as ripstop nylon. The slipper aids the entry and withdrawal of a foot through the narrow leg openings of wet suits, dry suits and wet suit booties.

Abstract: A sandal particularly well suited for surfing has an instep pad adapted to extend across the instep at the top of the foot and a traction surface adapted to extend across the bottom of the foot between the heel and the ball of the foot. An ankle strap holds the pad and sole rearward while a toe strap holds the pad and sole forward. A cross strap over the foot near the leg prevents the ankle strap from falling down around the heel. A traction surface is applied to the sole and a second traction surface is applied to the toe strap below the base of the toe. The sandal is constructed of neoprene for warmth and flexibility and the traction pads are preferably formed from a rubber. Loop and pile fasteners allow the straps to be adjusted.

Abstract: A shoe construction is provided with means for inclusion or orthotic and/or planar adjustment members in a shoe, without adversely affecting thereby the fit of the shoe on the foot or the distance of the foot from the walking surface.

Abstract: A swim fin specifically designed for use by an amputee comprising a substantially planar, elongate flipper portion integrally formed with and extending from a receiving pocket adapted to be mounted to the end of a limb of the amputee. A pair of elongate straps are connected along a side of the receiving pocket, wherein the straps are specifically designed to wrap around the amputee's limb, being fastened by a pair of mating hook and loop pads on opposite ends of the straps, thereby effectively securing the swim fin to the amputee's limb.

Abstract: A reversible hiking shoe heel-and-toe lift attachment is capable of being deployed on the heel of a hiking shoe for assisting a hiker in ascending a steep grade and on the toe of the hiking shoe for assisting the hiker in descending the steep grade. The lift attachment includes a support platform, a flexible confinement wall, and a flexible elastic strap. The support platform is inclined or wedge-shaped in a section taken through the platform along a longitudinal vertical plane extending between front and rear ends of the platform. The wedge-shaped or inclined platform is greater in height at the rear end than at the front end. The confinement wall is attached to and extends along and above the periphery of the support platform at the opposite sides and rear edges thereof for confining either the heel or toe of a hiking shoe when either the heel or toe is placed upon the support platform.

Abstract: An amphibious shoe, which includes a show body having set therein a fastening plate at its front end for the connection thereto of a diving flipper. The diving flipper includes therein an unitary connecting rubber plate portion having a plurality of through-holes with a plurality of screws screwed upward to fasten in or screwed downward to disconnect from a plurality of internally threaded hollow stubs which extend from the fastening plate of the shoe body, so as to secure the diving flipper to or separate it from the shoe body.

Abstract: Shower sandals having a scrubbing surface provided on the top surface of the sandal strap so that a person can scrub the bottom of his feet by removing the sandal from one foot and move the foot across the scrubbing surface on the sandal being worn on the other foot.

Abstract: A boating shoe, comprises an upper unit, a midsole and a high traction outsole attached to the bottom of said midsole. The upper unit includes a padded tongue made of a substantially nonabsorbent material and an inner lining having at least two plies. The outer ply adjacent the wearer's foot is made of a hydrophobic material and the inner ply is made of a hydrophilic material with good wicking characteristics. A bottom sock made of a fabric material through which water can flow freely is sewn to the bottom of the upper unit. The midsole is molded from a plastic material and includes forward and rear drainage cavities, each having a plurality of upstanding projections for supporting the wearer's foot. Drainage channels extend from each of the cavities through the midsole to its outer surface so that water flowing into the cavities of the midsole will be drained from the shoe.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a shoe, particularly for post-surgery or post-trauma use, intended to be worn by a patient whose ball of the foot is suffering from an injury or from any sort of damage which may be painful, this shoe comprising an upper (1) which is integral with a block sole (2) of which the posterior part is constituted of a heel (3) which is substantially thicker at the front than at the back.In the invention, the block sole (2) comprises a thin anterior part (4) which extends the top part of the heel forward with the same inclination as the latter and which presents larger crosswise and lengthwise dimensions than those of the foot (P). This thin anterior part (4) is practically indeformable lengthwise and crosswise, but can flex in its height in an area (A) situated essentially at the point of the Lisfranc division of the foot, without coming into contact with the ground.

Abstract: A shoe, more especially for patients having undergone a surgical operation on the fore-foot.It comprises an upper (1) open at the front, this upper being formed from two quarters (2) for wrapping round the rear part of the patient's foot and an inner sole (3) resting on a thick sole (4), substantially higher at the front than at the back.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pronation correcting device designed to provide three important functions to correct excessive pronation and eliminate the adverse affects thereof. The wedge comprises a substantially flat cushion portion, a wedge cushion portion and a horseshoe shaped cushion portion. The device provides heel lift, outward heel rotation and stabilization of the heel.

Abstract: A beach sandal of improved comfort and enhanced safety comprises a sole provided with a plurality of perforations whose openings in the upper and lower surfaces of the sole are displaced or whose middle portions are displaced from their outer portions. The perforations provide an escape for the water drag on the wearer's foot and consequently make wading through water easier. Because the perforations are not formed perpendicularly, when the wearer happens to step on a sharp object such as a shell, the possibility of the object sliding through one of the perforations and reaching the foot is remote.

Abstract: The device comprises a bar carried rotatably on the ski boot and provided with first and second oppositely threaded portions rotatively engaged by first and second blocks effective to translate along the bar. To the blocks there are articulated respective ends of first and second connecting rods, both thereof are articulated with their other ends to an adjuster.

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: An elevating boot wherein the heel section of the boot includes a height increasing insert for the wearer located within the boot in the area of the heel. This insert is to be removable, or it can be integrally secured to the boot. The forwardmost section of the boot includes a significant amount of space so as to make the size of the boot larger so as to be in proportion to the appearance of the increased height of the wearer. Within the space is to be located a second insert. A connecting section connects said first and second inserts.

Abstract: Novel surfing footwear is provided which comprises a foot covering in the form of a flexible boot or sandle, preferably open toed, or a thin elastic stocking, the bottom of which includes surf board traction improving means, such as spaced suction cups or the like, integral with the boot, sandle, or stocking, or individually or collectively releasably secured thereto. Preferably, the suction cups extend up around the heel and, in the case of the boot or sandle, may decrease in height from rear to front to permit the surfers' toes to contact the surfboard to "hang ten". The bottom portion of the boot or sandle may be thickened to stabilize the boot or sandle and to make the action of the suction cups more uniform. The footwear is light in weight, inexpensive, durable, and highly effective to increase traction of the surfers' foot on the surfboard for improved surfing.

Abstract: Removable, adjustable, foot-supporting and foot-positioning, orthopedic inserts for selectively and correctly supporting and positioning bottom regions of the foot, which are constructed and designed for use in athletic or sports footwear, including shoes and boots, whereby the foot is selectively and correctly supported and positioned in the footwear, and the leg, in turn, is selectively and correctly supported and positioned relative to the footwear.

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 removable shoe to be worn over a cast that extends over the foot of a person, which shoe provides protection to the cast and by use of a heel wedge preferably inserted in the shoe, and with an area below the main face of the wedge to accommodate the bottom of the cast, provides an improved walking action for the user.

Abstract: This invention is a reinforced ventilated shoe. It is formed with a strip of shoe cover material circumscribing the toe, sole, arch and heel. Reinforcing strips are provided to form an ankle band and parallel instep strips which extend from the toe portion to the ends of the ankle band. A vertically disposed strip connect the heel portion of the circumscribing strip and the back of the ankle band. Side strips connect the ankle band at one end and the other ends of the side strips are bifurcated below the ankle bone and connect the arch portion of the sole at spaced points. Other strips are provided connecting the parallel instep strips and the sole portion of the circumscribing strip; and strips horizontally disposed connecting the parallel instep strips and the vertically disposed strip at the heel. The shoe is provided with air penetratable netting in the spaces between the strips.

Abstract: A shower boot to be worn by a person when taking a shower for washing and scrubbing the feet. The shower boot includes a hollow body of waterproof material shaped to generally conform with and enclose the foot, ankle and lower leg region with the upper end thereof flaring or tapering outwardly to funnel water into the interior of the boot. A soft resilient lining is provided in the boot with the lining having a plurality of small projecting knobs, prongs or nipples engaging the exterior skin surface of the foot, ankle and lower leg regions of the person wearing the boot, whereby normal movement of such a person when taking a shower and towel drying will effectively wash, scrub and massage the foot and adjacent regions of the ankle and lower leg, thereby enabling such areas to be maintained in a clean and healthy condition.

Abstract: Footwear including suction cups on the sole. Each cup includes a neck portion extending above the outsole and having a passage extending therethrough. A plurality of spacers are provided between the neck portions and extend thereabove. The spacers coact with a body presenting a surface bridging the spacers to seal and unseal the passages during walking.

Abstract: A pair of elevating structures to be worn on the feet, each of the structures comprising a ground contact unit to which a vertically separated foot receiving unit is joined to form a unitary structure. The ground contact unit has a horizontal base plate from which rear, side, and front walls extend upwardly to form a hollow structure, a portion of these walls extending further upward in the form of a hollow tower on the rear portion of the unit to which tower the foot receiving unit is joined. The tower extends under the rear half of the foot receiving unit so that the weight of the wearer is centered over the tower and transferred from the tower to the ground contact unit. The forward part of the foot receiving unit is cantilevered from the tower and forms an open area between the forward portion of the foot receiving unit and the lower part of the ground contact unit. The foot receiving unit has semi-flexible walls and means to close the walls about the feet of the wearer.

Abstract: A pair of boots for compensation of leg length deformities utilizes a pair of boots of similar outward appearance and whose sole portions appear thick similar to today's platform style. One boot remains unchanged internally and is worn by the shorter of the person's legs and the other boot is modified internally so that the sole area is formed around a shell and a hollow interior receives the wearer's longer leg. The difference in leg lengths determines the depth of the hollowed out area and the shell height.

Abstract: A game of bowling in which the field of play is in the form of an oversize pocket pool table, with a cue ball and numbered target balls. The players wear shoes mounted on a high platform sole and heel and manually bowl the cue ball at the target ball to direct a specific target into one of the six corner or side pockets of the carpeted field of play.