Abstract: In one aspect of the disclosure, a knitted component for use in an article of footwear may include a first knitted layer and a second knitted layer at least partially overlapping the first knitted layer. The knitted component may also include an interlooped area comprising the first knitted layer interlooped with the second knitted layer and a knitted loop structure that is adjacent the interlooped area and that comprises the first knitted layer freely separable from the second knitted layer to comprise a passageway. The first knitted layer has a first edge comprising a first opening of the passageway and a second edge comprising a second opening of the passageway. Each of the first edge and the second edge extend in a course-wise direction and the passageway extends between the first opening and the second opening in a wale-wise direction.

Abstract: Foot support systems (and articles of footwear including them) include a midfoot flex component, such as a bi-stable spring element, that moves the article of footwear/sole structure/foot support component/midfoot flex component between an open position/foot insertion or removal configuration and a closed position/foot supporting configuration and vice versa.

Abstract: A method of making an article of footwear with a braided upper is disclosed. The method includes overbraiding a last to form a braided upper and cutting a bottom opening in the braided upper to remove the last. The bottom opening is cut so as to leave a bottom peripheral portion on the bottom side of the braided upper. A midsole is attached directly to the bottom peripheral portion using a bonding agent.

Abstract: A boot comprises: a shell comprising a first foamed polymeric material; a sock liner comprising a second foamed polymeric material, the sock liner having an exposed section and an enclosed section; and an adhesive layer affixing the shell and the enclosed section of the sock liner; wherein there is an absence of intermingling of the second surface of the enclosed section of the sock liner with the inner surface of the shell. Methods of making and using the boot are also provided.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the inventive subject matter is directed to production of constructs of footwear and components thereof by jet extrusion. The inventive subject matter contemplates novel processes for making such constructs using jets or streams of materials that solidify as fibers, and which form into two- or three-dimensional webs as they are collected. The webs may be in the nature of films, membranes, or mats. In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter generally relates to nonwoven textiles consisting of webs of superfine fibers, i.e., fibers with diameters in nanoscale or micronscale ranges.

Abstract: The transformable shoe is an apparatus that allows a user to customize the height of the shoe. The apparatus includes a shoe body, a collapsible heel, and a lift-receiving bed. The shoe body surrounds and supports the foot against the ground. The collapsible heel uplifts the shoe body above the ground. More specifically, the collapsible heel uplifts a heel seat above the ground and defines an arch of the foot. The collapsible heel includes a plurality of anthropomorphic members. The height of the apparatus is dependent on the arrangement of the plurality of anthropomorphic members with each other, moreover the plurality of anthropomorphic members may be arranged into a high-heel configuration, a wedge configuration, and a flat configuration. In order to secure the configuration, a telescopic extrusion is integrated into a distal member of the collapsible heel. The telescopic extrusion connects the distal member to the lift-receiving bed.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole, and a support assembly positioned beneath the midsole. The support assembly includes a plurality of primary support members having a substantially Z-shaped cross-section extending transversely across the support assembly. The support assembly may include a plurality of secondary support members having an inverted V-shaped cross-section, extending longitudinally along the support assembly, and intersecting with the primary support members. An outsole is positioned beneath the support assembly.

Abstract: A material includes a support layer comprising a single layer of woven fabric less than 30 mils thick. The support layer includes a plurality of anatomical supports each having a pair of substantially straight sides and rounded end portions and all of a substantially same size and shape. Each of the plurality of anatomical supports is at least partially disconnected from a remaining portion of the support layer. The support layer has a ratio of elongation to tensile strength (lb/in-width) that is less than 0.9 in at least one direction. The material additionally includes an adhesive layer on said support layer for adhesive attachment of said support layer to the outer skin surface of a user and a removable cover layer on said adhesive layer. The plurality of the anatomical supports in the support layer is attached to an at least partially continuous portion of the removable cover layer.

Abstract: Various articles, such as footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, watchbands, and the like, and methods of forming those articles are presented. The articles are generally formed, in whole or in part, using rapid manufacturing techniques, such as laser sintering, stereolithography, solid deposition modeling, and the like. The use of rapid manufacturing allows for relatively economical and time efficient manufacture of customized articles. Portions of the articles may be manufactured using rapid manufacturing and those portions may be joined with portions formed using conventional, non-rapid manufacturing techniques. The methods may also include performing a scan of an appropriate body part of a user, such as a foot, in order to create a customized article of footwear for the user.

Abstract: A base (1) is provided for a ski boot (2) and comprises a sole (4) and an outsole element (8, 9) that is positioned in a predetermined position relative to a longitudinal axis (L). The outsole element (8, 9) is positioned on the sole (4) by using two projections (25, 26) that are carried by one or other of the sole (4) and the outsole element (8, 9) and that locate in holes or cavities (22, 23) defined by the other. Preferably, the projections (25, 26) are carried by the outsole element (8, 9) and locate in holes or cavities (22, 23) defined by the sole (4). The projections (25, 26) may be integrally formed with the outsole element (8, 9) or the sole (4). Alternatively, they may be formed by injected pins, rivets, fasteners, t-nuts, or screws.

Abstract: A method for producing the multi-layer decorative vamp according to the first embodiment includes the steps of (a) providing a base, a first plate, and a second plate, which have been cut to a predetermined shape respectively; (b) arranging the base and the first and second plates in a predetermined order; (c) stacking the first and second plates and the base, with the first plate disposed between the base and the second plate to form a stacked array; and (d) hot pressing the stacked array.

Abstract: An open shoe including a textile layer shaped to fit on the sole of the open shoe, the textile layer and the open shoe comprising means able to cooperate together in such a manner that the textile layer is attachable and removable relatively to the sole of the open shoe. When the textile layer is attached to the sole, at least a portion of the textile layer is disposed between the open shoe and the skin of the foot.

Abstract: A shoe described herein includes an upper which surrounds the whole or one part of a foot of a user, a sole which is coupled to a lower portion of the upper, and a liner which is disposed on the sole. The liner of the shoe includes a bottom part which is disposed on the sole, one or more pairs of side surface supporting parts which are extended from a side edge of the bottom part and partially surround a side surface of the foot of the user, and one or more pairs of tightening parts which are formed at end portions of the one or more pairs of side surface supporting parts, respectively. The one or more pairs of tightening parts tighten the bottom part and the side surface supporting part to be in close contact with the foot of the user.

Abstract: A water repellant footwear cover for insertion over cleated footwear including an upper component and a sole component. The upper component includes a foot insertion opening and the sole component includes several apertures, namely, two front through-holes for receiving a pair of front or toe cleats typically associated with cleated footwear, two rear through-holes for receiving a pair of rear or heel cleats typically associated with cleated footwear, a front cleat opening for receiving a group of front cleats, and a rear cleat opening for receiving a group of rear cleats. The upper component and sole component preferably are made up of a layered system of materials including an outer nylon layer, a middle neoprene layer, and an inner nylon layer.

Abstract: Sport footwear for practicing winter sports comprising a shell (11) made of a first thermoplastic material and comprising a toe flap (12) at the front and a heel flap (13) at the back, configured to couple releasably to the bindings of a ski or snowboard. The sport footwear comprises at least a flap protection cover (15, 16) releasably attached on at least one of, or both, said toe flap (12) and heel flap (13), and said at least one flap protection cover (15, 16) is made of a second thermoplastic material.

Abstract: Golf shoes having improved outsole constructions are provided. The golf shoes include upper, midsole, and outsole sections. The outsole includes interior (central area) and exterior (perimeter area) traction projections. Materials having different hardness properties are used to construct different sections of the outsole. For example, thermoplastic polyurethanes may be used in the exterior region and rubber materials may be used in the interior region. The outsole has improved stability and flexibility.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a midsole. A first midsole impact force attenuation structure or system is arranged at least within the toe region of the midsole. A second midsole impact force attenuation structure or system is arranged at least within the heel region of the midsole, such that the second midsole impact force attenuation structure or system includes a molded heel region member extending from a lateral side of the article of footwear to a medial side; the heel region member having a hollow central region defined by a first radius of curvature in a direction toward the toe region and a second radius of curvature in a direction toward the heel region. The first radius of curvature is different from the second radius of curvature. The heel region member may be in an asymmetrical stiffness construction.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole, and a support assembly positioned beneath the midsole. The support assembly includes a plurality of primary support members having a substantially Z-shaped cross-section extending transversely across the support assembly. The support assembly may include a plurality of secondary support members having an inverted V-shaped cross-section, extending longitudinally along the support assembly, and intersecting with the primary support members. An outsole is positioned beneath the support assembly.

Abstract: An elastomeric shoe is provided that comprises a curved sole, an upper portion thereof having a vamp and curved top line. The upper portion and curved sole are molded from an elastomeric material, allowing the curved top line to stretch in tension, enabling the shoe's sole to achieve a substantially planar orientation when placed upon a wearer's foot to both enhance user comfort and provide better adherence to a wearer's foot without the need for an unsightly, elasticized, gathered topline.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole, a support assembly beneath the midsole, and an outsole. The support assembly includes a primary member and a secondary member engaged with the primary member. A portion of the secondary member extends through an aperture in the primary member. An opening in the primary member exposes the aperture to an exterior of the primary member.

Abstract: An insole for a high heeled platform shoe (30), shaped to accommodate a platform (48) between the insole and an underside of a wearer's foot. Also, a high heeled platform shoe (30) including an outsole, an insole and a platform, in which the outsole is located on one side of the insole and the platform is located on the other side of the insole. Also, a last for lasting a high heeled platform shoe, the last being shaped to correspond to the shape of a foot and a platform located against the sole of the foot. Manufacture includes providing a platform located on one side of an insole and an outsole on the other side of the insole. The platform and its location above the insole provide comfort to the wearer of the shoe and reduce health problems.

Abstract: Described herein are devices and techniques for solving the problems associated with the assembly of standard waterproof footwear such as the increased labor and cost of purchasing a taping machine and individually taping each seam of a waterproof article of footwear. Waterproof footwear described herein is made by laminating a waterproof membrane over substantially the entire exterior surface, including the seams, of a footwear liner, thereby producing a tapeless waterproof footwear article.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes providing a first portion of the article of footwear and providing a vamp; the first portion includes an ethylene vinyl acetate layer; folding the first portion to define walls of an upper of the article of footwear and an insole of the article of footwear; and coupling the vamp to the walls of the upper to define a foot-receiving opening of the article of footwear.

Abstract: A structure of shoe is formed of a shoe-forming piece through thermoplastic molding. The shoe-forming piece is formed in an integrated form through weaving a plurality of set yarns. The shoe-forming piece includes a first shoe cover and a second shoe cover. The first shoe cover and the second shoe cover are symmetric to each other. The first shoe cover includes a first shoe body and a first opening. The second shoe body includes a second shoe body and a second opening. The first opening and the second opening are coupled to each other. The first shoe body is inserted through the second opening to have the first shoe body received in the second shoe body and then subjected to thermoplastic molding to form the structure of shoe. As such, advantages of making the manufacturing process efficient and easy and reducing the manufacturing cost can be achieved.

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: 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, 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: 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: 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: A healthcare footwear article includes an upper shoe body and a sole member provided underneath the upper shoe body and is connected with the upper shoe body to form an integral body. The upper shoe body and the sole member is configured from a material consisting of approximately 70% to approximately 80% of silicon rubber by weight, approximately 5% to approximately 20% of negative ion powder by weight, approximately 2% to approximately 7% of antiwear agent by weight, approximately 5% to approximately 20% of titanium powder by weight, approximately 0.1% to approximately 1.5% of vulcanizing agent by weight, approximately 5% to approximately 10% of infrared ray powder by weight, and approximately 0.1% to approximately 8% of dye by weight.

Abstract: A healthcare footwear article includes an upper shoe body defining an attachment surface, a healthcare sole member and a midsole member. The healthcare sole member is provided underneath the upper shoe body, and has a bottom outsole portion, an upper insole portion, and a connecting surface, wherein the healthcare sole member is configured from silicon rubber material. The midsole member is provided on the connecting surface of the healthcare sole member, wherein the attachment surface is securely attached on the connecting surface and the midsole member for securely connecting the upper shoe body to the healthcare sole member.

Abstract: A footwear system is disclosed, which includes a shell having an inner cavity and at least one recessed area offset from an inner surface of the shell, and a chassis having one or more components adapted to protect a user's foot from injury. In one embodiment, the chassis is insertable into the inner cavity of the shell, such that the one or more components of the chassis are securely retained (e.g., permanently affixed) within the at least one recessed area of the shell. Methods of forming the aforementioned footwear system using expandable materials are also disclosed.

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 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: A footwear for exercise providing a superior portability to that of a sports shoe and providing a comparative comfort of exercise with that of a sports shoe is provided. The footwear 1L includes a covering member 10L and an insole member 11L. On an outer surface of the covering member 10L, a rubber member 15L to cover an entire bottom side portion of the covering member 10L where the insole member 11L is placed, a rubber member 16L to extend from a front end of the covering member 10L to a nearby portion of a step-in opening 13L of the covering member 10L, and a rubber member 17L to extend from a rear end of the covering member 10L to a nearby portion of a step-in opening 13L of the covering member 10L, are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are shoes of an automated process production and a shoemaking method thereof. Each of the shoes of an automated process production comprises a shoe-upper material, a shoe sole and a plastic material. The shoe-upper material is one piece and includes a shoe-upper and a footrest underside coupled with each other. The plastic material is coated onto the shoe-upper and the footrest underside and filled between the footrest underside and the shoe sole, and the plastic material forms at least one support member attached to the shoe-upper and the footrest underside. The shoe sole is coupled to the footrest underside by plastic material.

Abstract: An upper for shoes provided with a monolithic structure complete with a sole obtained from molding rubber or thermoplastic materials, characterized in that said sole is provided with one or more through openings.

Abstract: A surface-modified plastic sheet includes: a polymer substrate having a plasma treated surface; and a transparent surface-modifying polymer film coated on the plasma treated surface. The surface-modifying polymer film is made from a modified CTBN composition or a clear lacquer composition. The clear lacquer composition contains linear polyester polyol. The modified CTBN composition contains a modified CTBN that is represented by formula (I) in which T is a butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer and R1 is represented by formula (II) in which R2 is a divalent hydrocarbyl group that contains at least one benzene ring.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a thermoplastic polyurethane comprised of the reaction product of (1) a hydroxyl terminated polyester intermediate, (2) a polyisocyanate, and (3) a glycol chain extender; wherein the polyester intermediate is comprised of repeat units derived from a 1,3-propylene glycol component and a dicarboxylic acid wherein the 1,3-propylene glycol component comprises a bio-based 1,3-propylene glycol; wherein the polyester intermediate has a number average molecular weight from 500 to 10,000; and wherein the polyurethane includes hard segments that are the reaction product of the polyisocyanate and the glycol chain extender. This thermoplastic polyurethane is unique as it has a greatly reduced tendency to bloom and is prepared from a renewable material. Blooming causes articles containing the polyurethane to be hazy or foggy in appearance and can also reduce the ability of an article to be securely bound to another with an adhesive.

Abstract: In certain embodiments there is provided a connection system having at least one male engagement component configured to interact with a female engagement component. The female engagement component is formed of a material that, when pressure is applied, enables the at least one male engagement component to imprint into the material so that a closed connection may be formed to lock the positioning of the two components. The material is also configured to flow/float around the male engagement component so that the position of the male engagement component with respect to the female engagement component may be adjusted while the two engagement components are in contact and the male engagement component is not imprinted within the female engagement component.

Abstract: A structure of areca palm made footwear includes an insole and an outsole. The insole is formed by cutting areca palm leaves to a desired size. The outsole is bonded to the insole. As such, a wearer's foot, when putting on the footwear, is set in contact with the insole made of areca palm leaves, whereby besides being environmentally friendly, the footwear can keep the wearer's sole dry by allowing humidity to be absorbed by the areca palm leaf.

Abstract: A yarn or thread may include a plurality of substantially aligned filaments, with at least ninety-five percent of a material of the filaments being a thermoplastic polymer material. Various woven textiles and knitted textiles may be formed from the yarn or thread. The woven textiles or knitted textiles may be thermal bonded to other elements to form seams. A strand that is at least partially formed from a thermoplastic polymer material may extend through the seam, and the strand may be thermal bonded at the seam. The woven textiles or knitted textiles may be shaped or molded, incorporated into products, and recycled to form other products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a molded shoe featuring a three dimensional figure design (e.g., of an animal or character). The shoe has a sole having a bottom surface that comprises a series of projections and recesses that form a print of an animal or character, to thereby obtain an imprinting surface; and an upper, attached to the sole, having an outer surface that comprises a series of projections and recesses that form a three dimensional figure design. The sole and upper are substantially formed from molded plastic; the projections and recesses of the animal imprinting surface allow one wearing the shoe to make imprints on a soft surface, and the three dimensional figure on the outer surface of the upper relates to the print of the imprinting surface. The methods of the present invention further include making imprints with the bottom surface of the shoe.

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: Disclosed are golf balls comprising cores or intermediate layers prepared from thermoplastic compositions having coefficients of restitution equal to or greater than 0.83 and PGA compressions greater than 100. Also disclosed is a composition comprising or prepared from (a) at least one aliphatic, mono-functional organic acid having from 16 to 20 carbon atoms, wherein the organic acid is unsaturated and linear; (b) an ethylene acid copolymer consisting essentially of copolymerized comonomers of ethylene and from 18 to 24 weight % of copolymerized comonomers of at least one C3 to C8 ?,? ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, based on the total weight of the ethylene acid copolymer, having a melt index from about 200 to about 600 g/10 minutes; wherein the combined acid moieties of (a) and (b) are nominally neutralized to a level from about 120% to about 200%; and optionally (c) filler.

Abstract: Ski boots and other cold weather articles are described made from polymer compositions that are exceptionally stable at low temperatures. The polymer composition, for instance, may contain a thermoplastic polymer, a thermoplastic elastomer, and an impact modifier. In one embodiment, each of the individual components are selected such that they do not undergo a second order transition within a temperature range of from about 50° C. to about ?40° C., and particularly from about 23° C. to about ?40° C. In one embodiment, the polymer compositions are used to mold the outer shell of a snow ski boot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a molded shoe featuring a three dimensional figure design (e.g., of an animal or character). The shoe has a sole having a bottom surface that comprises a series of projections and recesses that form a print of an animal or character, to thereby obtain an imprinting surface; and an upper, attached to the sole, having an outer surface that comprises a series of projections and recesses that form a three dimensional figure design. The sole and upper are substantially formed from molded plastic; the projections and recesses of the animal imprinting surface allow one wearing the shoe to make imprints on a soft surface, and the three dimensional figure on the outer surface of the upper relates to the print of the imprinting surface. The methods of the present invention further include making imprints with the bottom surface of the shoe.

Abstract: A non-woven textile may be formed from a plurality of thermoplastic polymer filaments. The non-woven textile may have a first region and a second region, with the filaments of the first region being fused to a greater degree than the filaments of the second region. A variety of products, including apparel (e.g., shirts, pants, footwear), may incorporate the non-woven textile. In some of these products, the non-woven textile may be joined with another textile element to form a seam. More particularly, an edge area of the non-woven textile may be heatbonded with an edge area of the other textile element at the seam. In other products, the non-woven textile may be joined with another component, whether a textile or a non-textile.

Abstract: Described are golf balls comprising cores or intermediate layers prepared from thermoplastic compositions having coefficients of restitution equal to or greater than 0.83 and PGA compression greater than 100. Also described is a composition comprising or prepared from (a) at least one aliphatic, mono-functional organic acid having from 16 to 20 carbon atoms, wherein the organic acid is unsaturated and linear; (b) an ethylene acid copolymer consisting essentially of copolymerized comonomers of ethylene and from 18 to 24 weight % of copolymerized comonomers of at least one C3 to C8 ?,? ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, based on the total weight of the ethylene acid copolymer, having a melt index from about 200 to about 600 g/10 minutes; wherein the combined acid moieties of (a) and (b) are nominally neutralized to a level from about 120% to about 200%; and optionally (c) filler.

Abstract: The present invention provides a footwear article with arch support and cushioning. The footwear article maybe in the form of a sandal including but not limited to a thong sandal, such as a flip flop.