Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe (in particular to a sports shoe, which has a shoe upper part (2) and a sole (3) which is connected to the shoe upper part (2), wherein the shoe upper part (2) having two tensioning sections (6, 7) which are arranged adjacently in a tensioning region (4) and are separated by a gap (5), wherein a fastening system (8) is arranged by which the shoe (1) can be fastened to the foot of the wearer of the shoe (1) by means of a fastening lace (9) as a result of the adjacently arranged tensioning sections (6, 7) being drawn towards one another.

Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear may have material layers and a plurality of strand segments. The material layers are located adjacent to each other and in an overlapping configuration, and the material layers are located in a lace region and a lower region of the upper. The strand segments extend from the lace region to the lower region. The strand segments may be located and secured between the material layers in the lace region and the lower region. The strand segments may form both an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper in an area between the lace region and the lower region. The material layers may define an opening between the lace region and the lower region, and the strand segments extend across the opening.

Abstract: The embodiments relate to an article of footwear and method of manufacturing that includes a first layer and a second layer configured to form a plurality of tunnels configured to receive a cord system. The manufacturing includes steps of placing a first layer, placing a cord on the first layer, securing the cord on the first layer, placing a second layer on the first layer and the cord, attaching the second layer to the first layer, and detaching the cord from the first layer. When the cord is secured with a thread, the thread may be removed by dissolving or cutting. The attaching of the second layer to the first layer can be completed by stitching or thermal welding, for example.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an intermediate covering portion with an adjustable volume. The intermediate covering portion is closed around the instep of the foot. The article also includes a tensioning system that can be used to change the volume of the intermediate covering portion.

Abstract: A sole structure of an article of footwear has a support assembly structure including a flexure element and an upper support element. The flexure element may have a central portion located between first and second ground-contacting or lower regions, wherein the central portion may have a downwardly concavely-curved shell-like region. The flexure element also may have first and second flanges extending upward from the first and second lower regions, respectively. The upper support element is positioned above the central portion and between the first and second flanges of the flexure element. When a vertical compressive load is first applied to the upper support element, the upper support element moves vertically relative to the first and second flanges. An article of footwear having the sole structure attached to an upper is also provided.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a braided upper comprised of a unitary braided structure. The unitary braided structure of the braided upper may be engineered with specific features tailored to particular activities. Different regions of the upper may have different braided configurations. For example, higher braid densities may be used in specific areas of the footwear to provide additional structural support or compression. Also, strands of a different material may be incorporated in different regions of the braided upper to provide specific properties to the footwear in those areas.

Abstract: A shoe including a sole having specific characteristics, namely a width, a length, a thickness and a front/rear profile, where the sole is made with materials having a certain type of deformation and lateral reinforcements emerging from the sole and surrounding the upper that are suitable for significantly increasing both performance, such as speed and reduced fatigue, and user comfort, such as reduced impact on knees, back, leg muscles, of the shoe, which are particularly suited for use when jogging or walking on uneven outdoor surfaces, as well as for jogging or walking on roads. Furthermore, the characteristics of the sole, such as the spike surface and deformation when contacting the ground, improve safety for a user by providing enhanced grip on sloping terrain as well as on snow-covered or wet terrain.

Abstract: Biomechanically, a human foot operates as a lever of the second class during the motions involved with walking, running or jumping. Extending the toes during such motion increases the distance between the fulcrum and effort of the foot-lever and results in increased foot propulsion.

Abstract: A footwear device. The footwear device preferably encloses a foot of a wearer to augment the wearer's athletic performance by helping to prevent the wearer's susceptibility to injury. The footwear device is preferably comprised of an upper portion, wherein the upper portion may comprise of an integrated padding or padded portion that provides impact resistance to the toes and to the top portion of the foot. This padded portion preferably helps absorb, disperse, and deflect impact, thereby shielding a foot of the wearer against injury and abrasion.

Abstract: A shoe, which has a shoe upper part and a sole connected to the shoe upper part. The shoe upper part and the sole are connected together by a connection element. In order to simplify the connection between the shoe upper part and the sole and so the connection is stable and water proof, the connection element is a longitudinally extending, profiled molded part that has an upper stripe-shaped section and a lower fork-shaped section which has two fork sections. The shoe upper part has a stripe-shaped upper part section in its region that adjoins the sole, which stripe-shaped upper part section is connected to the strip-shaped section of the connecting element. The sole has a stripe-shaped sole section in its region that adjoins the shoe upper part, which strip-shaped sole section extends between the two fork sections and is connected to at least one of the fork sections.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a braided upper with overlay portions. The overlay portions may be applied to edges of the braided upper. The overlay portions can include eyelets to receive a lace. The overlay portions can extend around portions of the upper to reduce stretching and increase support. The overlay portions may facilitate attachment between the braided upper and a sole system.

Abstract: A shoe comprises a sole, an upper, and a welt. The upper is operatively secured to the sole. The sole and upper define a seam. The seam has a seam toe region, a seam heel region, a seam lateral side region, a seam ball region, and a seam instep region. The welt is secured to at least one of the sole and the upper. The welt covers the seam toe region, the seam lateral side region, the seam heel region, and the seam instep region. The welt does not cover the seam ball region.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper with a forward covering portion and a rearward covering portion. The rearward covering portion can be adjusted between an open configuration for receiving a foot and a closed configuration for covering the foot. In the open configuration the rearward covering portion is approximately flat, while in the closed configuration the rearward covering portion has a three-dimensional shape. The rearward covering portion may be folded vertically between the open configuration and the closed configuration. A tensioning member can be used to control the configuration of the rearward covering portion.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include one or more harnesses to restrain a wearer foot from transverse movement within an upper during a rapid sideways maneuver. One harness may be located in a lateral forefoot region. Another harness may be located in medial region and may include a midfoot and/or a hindfoot region.

Abstract: A boot has an upper, at least one slot extending through the upper, and means for closing the at least one slot to prevent the ingress of unwanted materials. The closing means may comprise a piece of material that overlaps and covers the at least one slot.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include a plurality of segments. Each of the plurality of segments may form a portion of a combined upper and sole structure. A bootie may line the combined upper and sole structure. The bootie may interconnect the plurality of segments such that the plurality of segments are independently moveable with respect to one another.

Abstract: Footwear construction of a type resembling a conventional sandal is formed completely from a single piece of a flexible material, wherein tabs extending from one side of the base, or sole portion, connect with symmetrically disposed tabs to form the uppers. The tab connections may be implemented by sewing, by hook and loop type devices, by hook and eye devices, by buttons and buttonholes, by snaps or adhesives or other fastening means, but in any case no additional parts are needed to fully express the present invention.

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: An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper coupled to the sole structure. The upper includes a lower edge that is disposed adjacent to the sole structure. The upper further includes a collar defining an opening to a void within the upper. The collar defines an upper edge of the upper that is spaced away from the lower edge. The upper includes a forward portion and a heel portion. The heel portion includes a knitted component of unitary knit construction. The knitted component at least partially defines the upper edge and the lower edge of the upper. The knitted component includes a first side edge that is attached to the forward portion along a first side. The knitted component also includes a second side edge that is attached to the forward portion along a second side.

Abstract: A footwear kit suitable for producing a pair of customized bowling shoes with appropriate sliding sole and a traction sole for right and left handed bowlers and optimizable for a variety of lane conditions is provided. A distal margin on the shoe matches a margin on a removable forepart to provide rapid alignment and orientation of the ground contact surface area of the forepart to the shoe. Foreparts provided are adjustable for use on either a left or right shoe.

Abstract: Described are uppers for a shoe, particularly a sports shoe. The upper includes a an outer layer having a first knitwear and an inner layer having a second knitwear. The first knitwear differs from the second knitwear with regard to at least one of a yarn used, a stitch structure, an alignment, and a form.

Abstract: The invention relates to an upper assembly (10) for footwear (100), comprising an upper (14) having a sole-sided upper end region, and an upper bottom (16). The sole-sided upper end region is joined to the upper bottom (16). The upper (14) includes an outer material layer (18) having a sole-sided outer material end region (18a), and an upper liner (20). The upper bottom (16) comprises a first water vapor permeable assembly sole (30) and an upper bottom laminate (32) including a first water vapor permeable and waterproof functional layer (34). The outer material layer (18) in the sole-sided outer material end region (18a) is joined to the first water vapor permeable assembly sole (30).

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a body configured to receive a foot of a wearer of the article of footwear. A temperature regulation system is supported by the body. The temperature regulation system includes a reservoir containing a temperature regulating fluid configured to receive heat from the foot of the wearer. The reservoir is configured to be compressed between the foot of the wearer and the body to discharge the temperature regulating fluid from the reservoir. The temperature regulation system further includes a heat-dissipating portion receiving the temperature regulating fluid from the reservoir. The heat-dissipating portion is configured to permit the temperature regulating fluid to dissipate heat received from the foot of the wearer.

Abstract: A device for soaking a single foot includes a container member made of a light weight and durable waterproof material and a removable insert having a sloped top surface for directing the flow of liquid to a targeted and isolated region of the user's foot, such as the toes. A flared lip allows the interior cavity of the container member to be filled with liquid through the top opening of the container member while the user's foot is received within the interior cavity. The removable insert is structured to cause pooling of the liquid in a targeted region of the user's foot. In one embodiment, the foot soaking device includes a heat insert for controllably heating the container member. For soaking the entire foot, the insert is removed to expose the bottom surface of the interior cavity. The container is sized and configured to receive a user's left or right foot.

Abstract: An improved article of footwear of the invention includes an upper, an adjustable closure system affixed to the upper, the closure system having a guide member having a first groove portion and a second groove portion, a fastening member positioned opposite the guide member and having at least two tensioning members, and removable cable assembly connecting the guide member and the fastening member, wherein the cable assembly extends sequentially through the first groove portion of the guide member, a first tensioning member of the fastening member, the second groove portion of the guide member, and a second tensioning member of the fastening member, a bottom secured to the upper, a stabilizing member positioned between the upper and the bottom, wherein the stabilizing member has a base portion and at least one of a lateral support portion and a medial support portion extending upwardly from opposing sides of the base portion.

Abstract: An article of footwear for a prosthesis is provided and may include an upper, an outsole attached to the upper, and a midsole disposed between the upper and the outsole. The article of footwear may also include a cavity having a first portion defined between the upper and the midsole that receives the prosthesis when the prosthesis is inserted into the article of footwear and a second portion having a constant dimension between the upper and the midsole along the length of the second portion. The second portion may extend in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the midsole and may receive a distal end of the prosthesis when the prosthesis is fully inserted into the article of footwear.

Abstract: A fastening system for footwear that includes a strap that functions as a restraining element to more tightly secure the footwear to the wearer's foot when the strap is under tension. The strap could be a unitary strap made of a material with a negative Poisson's ratio. The strap can also have a composite structure, with an outer layer and an inner layer, where the inner layer is made of a material with a negative Poisson's ratio. As the strap is placed under tension in a lengthwise direction, the thickness and/or width of the strap may expand to increase support.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper that includes a knitted component and a sole structure secured to the upper. The knitted component may define a tube formed of unitary knit construction, and a strand may extend through a length of the tube. As another example, the knitted component may have a pair of at least partially coextensive knitted layers formed of unitary knit construction, and a plurality of floating yarns may extend between the knitted layers. In some configurations, the knit type or yarn type may vary in different regions of the knitted component to impart different properties. Additionally, the knitted component may incorporate a thermoplastic yarn that is fused in different regions of the knitted component to impart different properties. A flat knitting process or a variety of other knitting processes may be utilized to form the knitted component.

Abstract: A footwear assembly includes an open toed inner article of footwear and an outer article of footwear. The inner article of footwear can be inserted into the outer article of footwear. The inner article of footwear can be worn separately from, or in combination with, the outer article of footwear. The footwear assembly can also include a wrapping member.

Abstract: A waterproof safety boot includes a one-piece EVA upper (11) to which is applied a toe cap (15). A polyurethane toe cap cover (19) is secured to the upper to encapsulate the toe cap. An outsole (25) of e.g. synthetic nitrile rubber may be added. The upper may be a booty.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper with a heel region that extends posteriorly about the heel, a medial side, and a lateral side. The article of footwear also includes a sole structure. Moreover, the article includes a longitudinal strand that extends along at least one of the medial side and the lateral side. Also, the article includes an underfoot strand that is coupled to the longitudinal strand and that extends across the sole structure to extend between the lateral side and the medial side of the upper. Furthermore, the article includes a closure strand that is coupled to the longitudinal strand. The closure strand is configured to couple to the closure element such that tensioning of the closure element tensions the longitudinal strand, the underfoot strand, and the closure strand to selectively secure the article of footwear to the foot.

Abstract: A shoe having a shoe upper including multiple unwelded flex zones in selected locations on the shoe upper. The flex zones may be selectively located on the upper to flex when the shoe is in use.

Abstract: An article of footwear including a sole and an upper with an exterior and interior surface, and one or more bladders which comprises at least one of the exterior or interior surfaces of the upper. The bladder comprising sheets of polyurethane or polyester film attached together to form an airtight seal. The article of footwear also includes a inflation mechanism for selectively introducing air in the one or more bladders. The inflation mechanism is located under the foot of the wearer to be activated by the normal action of the wearer to inflate the one or more bladders. The article of footwear may also include an assembly for connecting several tubes to one under foot inflation mechanism. The article of footwear may also include inflatable laces that are inflated by an underfoot inflation mechanism.

Abstract: An article of footwear is provided, including an upper having an acute angular opening in a vamp region, a base of the acute angular opening being disposed in a first region of the vamp proximate to a forefoot region of the article of footwear and an end of the acute angular opening being disposed in a second region of the vamp proximate to an ankle opening region of the article of footwear; and at least one lace having a length, including a first thickness in a center region of the lace length and a second thickness at each of the two end regions of the lace, and a change in thickness of the lace between the first thickness and the second thickness varying continuously and gradually along the length lace from the center region to each of the end regions.

Abstract: An article of footwear including a fabric upper and at least one connector having an upper member with two spaced sidewalls. At least a portion of the upper being inserted between and co-molded with the sidewalls of the connector.

Abstract: An anti-stretch treatment of natural leather or suede materials for articles of footwear is provided. The anti-stretch treatment is used to prevent or reduce the degree or amount of variation in stretch property of an upper or vamp of articles of footwear. The anti-stretch treatment includes a plurality of welds in the material of the upper that provide resistance to stretching along a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction, or both, that assists with preventing or reducing stretching out of the upper of an article of footwear or otherwise losing shape or form.

Abstract: Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, may include: (a) an upper including an opening through which a leg of a wearer extends, wherein the upper includes a foot insertion opening extending rearwardly and downwardly from a front portion of the leg opening at least to a heel area of the upper; (b) a closure system for releasably closing the foot insertion opening and optionally tightening the shoe on the foot; and (c) a sole structure engaged with the upper. The foot insertion opening widely opens the side and/or rear area of the shoe to allow for easy insertion and removal of a foot. Such uppers can be particularly useful for hightop athletic footwear, boots, or other footwear that extends up to or at least partially over a wearer's ankles.

Abstract: A fastening system for a shoe for a child includes a tongue and at least a pair of fastening arms. The tongue includes one or more features of a selected character. Each of the pair of fastening arms is configured as an appendage of the selected character and is attached to the tongue. Each fastening arm is adapted to extend though a corresponding eyelet in a body portion of the shoe and to be fastened in a manner such that the fastening arms appear to be embracing the tongue.

Abstract: An article of footwear for use in sporting activities such as snowboarding is disclosed. The article of footwear can include a flex notch and a coupled lace loop design. The article can further include an internal harness to enhance stability of the foot. The article can also include a threading layer configured to strengthen the upper and a corresponding connecting layer to bond the threading layer to the upper and to provide protection to other areas of the upper.

Abstract: An article of footwear with adjustable stiffness is provided. The article of footwear in the form of a snowboard boot is provided with adjustable tensioning systems that are disposed on either side of an inner liner of the snowboard boot. The adjustable tensioning system includes a comb body structure having flex portions made of a plurality of extending fingers with a flexibility that can be controlled by the adjustable tensioning system. Depending on the level of tension applied by the tensioning system, or lack thereof, a range of flex profiles having varying amounts of stiffness are available to the wearer to adjust the overall stiffness of the snowboard boot.

Abstract: Multi-layer fabrics and products incorporating the same are described in which the fabrics are configured to provide asymmetric resistance to liquid flow from one side of the fabric to the other. In garments or other products worn by a user, the effect can be utilized to prevent penetration of liquids (e.g., rain droplets) and contact of liquids from the exterior with the user's skin while allowing for extraction of droplets (e.g., sweat) in contact with an inner layer of the fabric out of contact with the skin and accelerating their evaporation. Medical and industrial applications of the fabric are contemplated as well.

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: An article of footwear may have a sole structure and an upper that includes at least one layer and a plurality of strands. The layer extends from a lace region of the upper to a lower region of the upper. The strands are located adjacent to the layer and in contact with the layer, and the strands extend from the lace region to the lower region. Additionally, the strands are unsecured to the layer for a distance of at least five centimeters in an area between the lace region and the lower region.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a controlled release buckle may comprise a buckle lock configured to engage a strap in a manner preventing the strap from moving in a loosening direction when the buckle lock is in a resting position, and to disengage the strap when the buckle lock is forced into a disengaged position, and a buckle lever configured to move the strap in a tightening direction when the buckle lever is pulled in a first direction, and to engage the strap in a manner preventing the strap from moving in a loosening direction when the buckle lever is pressed in a second direction.

Abstract: Linked articles and a method for customizing the linked articles are disclosed. The linked articles comprise a first link matrix and a second link matrix comprising a first portion of the article and a second portion of the article, respectively. The first link matrix consists essentially of links of a first material and the second link matrix consists essentially of links of a second material.

Abstract: A shoe secures the foot like a flip flop without requiring the wearer to grip the shoe with their foot muscles and covers the foot, protecting it from injury and cooler temperatures. A wearer can easily insert their foot in shoe, as they would the traditional slipper, but the shoe would not slip off. The foot would naturally cling to a thong portion of the slipper. A wearer could wear the shoe outside for distance walking just as they would flip flops in warmer weather.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion including an acid-modified polyolefin resin (A) having a content of an unsaturated carboxylic acid component of 0.1 to 10% by mass, a rubber component (B), a tackifier component (C) and an aqueous medium, wherein in relation to 100 parts by mass of the acid-modified polyolefin resin (A), the content of the rubber component (B) is 5 to 1900 parts by mass, and in relation to 100 parts by mass of the total amount of the acid-modified polyolefin resin (A) and the rubber component (B), the content of the tackifier component (C) is 5 to 300 parts by mass.

Abstract: A footwear article is provided herein. The footwear article may include a sole coupled to a cord structure. The cord structure may include interconnected bights in a vamp cord and a rand cord forming a loop line extending along at least a portion of the footwear article.

Abstract: A Balance-Assist Shoe system is described in which the shoes measure proximity and alignment to any surface prior to and after contact and force distribution during contact. The proximity and force sensing are first discussed in general terms as several sensing technologies apply. This is followed by a more detailed discussion where proximity and force sensing are performed by capacitance. An exercise system and a playback & analysis system, useful in using the Balance-Assist Shoes, are also described with attention to a situation awareness headset. The situation awareness headset, in turn, facilitates a PC media application which is useful, but unrelated to its original purpose.

Abstract: An item of footwear has first and second portions that slide with respect to each other to allow the user to easily put the footwear on and take the footwear off. The footwear may be opened and closed without requiring the user to bend over and manipulate closure mechanisms with his hands. The footwear allows a person's foot to be readily inserted and removed from the footwear when the footwear is open while being secured within the footwear when the footwear is closed.